by Griff Hosker
"Yes and you had better stay with us. I think we will need that little metal tube of yours before too long." He turned as the Captain he had left on the beach marched up with a company of Commandos. "Good timing Captain Dawkins. Take charge here. Clear the road and hold it. When Captain Durrant arrives he can reinforce you. Two companies should be enough. I will take the rest of the Brigade and support the Colonel's attack on Salerno."
"Sir."
He pumped his arm twice and we followed him down the steep and twisting road to our left. "Sergeant Macgregor, take four men and go on point."
"Aye sir."
We saw Salerno as we rounded a bend in the road. The bay was full of tiny dots as the forty sixth division landed. There was heavy firing from the beach. Suddenly we heard firing from ahead. Sergeant Macgregor, limping, and his men hurried back. "Sir, tanks and armoured cars! Six of them!"
"Gordy get the bazooka ready. How many rockets do you have left Smith?"
"Eight."
"Gordy use them wisely, there are six targets coming up."
I took out the German grenades I had taken from the beach. Major Siddons shouted, "Take cover. Set up those Bren guns! Get your grenades ready."
I heard the crack of a German gun as the first of the Mark III tanks opened fire. He was firing blind as he came up the hill. The shell shattered the trees above our heads and we were showered with branches and debris. I saw that Gordy was ready. I knelt next to him with my Thompson ready. The Panzer emerged around the bend and began to spray the road with its machine gun. The Major's men were lying down. They returned fire and threw grenades. I fired at the driver's visor. Gordy fired his rocket launcher. A flame shot out from the rear of the tube and the rocket hit the tank just above the track.
"Bugger!" The turret could still traverse and the tank could fire. As it turned to swat this irritating insect Smith tapped Gordy on the shoulder. This time the rocket hit the turret. It must have ignited ammunition for the turret and tank lifted off the ground as it exploded.
"Come on!"
The Major led the charge down the road. The smoke from the burning tank gave some cover. Gordy hefted the tube on his back. "Only six rockets left Sarge."
"I had better use them a bit better next time then."
I turned to Private Crowe. "Get the grenade launcher ready."
We moved as close as we dared to the burning tank. Gordy took shelter behind a large rock which covered most of his body. His head and shoulders, however, were still exposed. Machine guns fired from the tanks and armoured cars which now covered the road. Behind them were infantry and they were digging in. The tanks' shells now had targets and they fired at Number Two Commandos as they took cover. Two of the men who had been with Sergeant Macgregor raced forward and hurled grenades beneath the leading armoured car. It exploded but one of the men was wounded. I saw him being helped back up the road.
Gordy aimed at the middle of the three tanks. It was a hundred and fifty yards away. He hit the front armour. The rocket exploded but the tank appeared undamaged. "Gordy, the turret!"
"Sir!"
"Crowe start lobbing grenades at those grenadiers." The Panzer Grenadiers were moving forward to tackle our attack.
"Sir."
Bullets from the small arms were sweeping through the trees above our heads. As the first grenade exploded in the air the fire diminished and Gordy fired another rocket. This time he hit the turret which stuck. It could not traverse.
"We have to get closer sir."
I nodded and shouted, "Covering fire!"
Brens, rifles and Tommy guns erupted and a wall of bullets flew down the hill. My section ran in front of Gordy past the tank to the road on the left. One of the tanks fired blindly but the burning tank protected us. The tank's machine gun clattered off the wrecked panzer.
We dropped into the ditch some eighty yards from the nearest tank. I could see the eyes of the driver. The turret began to turn. I fired at the slit and emptied my magazine. Gordy needed time to aim. The driver's face disappeared. I heard the whoosh of the rocket and I dived to the ground as the German machine gun fired at where I had been. The rocket struck the side of the tank and exploded.
"Come on!"
I pulled a grenade out and ran towards the third of the three tanks which had blocked the road. Polly sprayed his Tommy gun as did Hewitt. The stunned German infantry fell as I jumped on the side of the tank. The hatch was open and I dropped a grenade in and closed the hatch. Bullets zipped above my head but I appeared to have a charmed life. I barely had time to throw myself to the ground before it went off. It did not do much damage to the tank but the crew were all hit as the shrapnel clattered around the confined space. John Hewitt opened the smoking hatch and sprayed the inside with his Tommy gun.
I heard another whoosh and saw the last armoured car explode. The surviving infantry ran down the hill to Salerno. "Well done Gordy. Smith, you had better save those last rounds in case we meet any more tanks."
Major Siddons had been on the radio and he came over, "It looks like the Rangers have also secured their objectives. However the rest of the invasion is not going so well. The other infantry are held up on the beaches. It looks like the Germans have taken over the Italian positions. The Italian Government has surrendered."
I nodded, "So what is the plan, sir?"
He grinned, "It looks like the Commandos take Salerno! Lieutenant Johnson, take your company, You are the point!"
"Yes sir."
"Harsker you and your tank busters can stay with me!"
"Yes sir." I was being restrained. I turned and checked that all of my men had survived. I smiled as I saw them taking the German grenades and pistols. We wasted nothing. Number Two Commando, in contrast, was just checking if the Germans had any souvenirs like watches.
Chapter 20
As we walked down the road to Salerno I examined the papers I had taken from one of the dead tank commanders. It had been the Sixteenth Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion. I wondered how many other armoured units we might face. The country here did not suit armour. The roads were narrow, steep and twisted. The suburbs of Salerno nestled between the mountains and the port. We were on the mountain road above them. We could see down the coast. The naval bombardment appeared to be the only thing which was keeping the army on the beach. It was strange to think that a month ago it had been peaceful. The Germans had reacted quickly. This would not be as easy as the generals had thought.
Gunfire and the sound of grenades ahead alerted us to our own little war. "Right, lads, it looks like Lieutenant Johnson has run into a bit of bother. Captain McQueen take the right flank. Captain Harsker can your lads scramble aorund in the rocks to the left?"
"Will do."
The narrow road twisted and turned as it descended towards Salerno. We had seen a sign, Via Valle, it was well named. The road followed the contours of the valley. To the right was an area of woods. Captain McQueen was heading for them. We had the slightly harder task of using the steep ground to the left. There were stunted trees but it had a severe slope. It would be hard to keep our feet.
"Gordy, you Smith and Scouse are Tail End Charlie. Bill take the left. Sergeant Poulson take the right."
We left the road and climbed up the slope. Soon the road disappeared from my view but I saw Sergeant Poulson raise his Thompson and fire a short burst. He could see enemies. I peered through the foliage. I was now the point of our arrow. I had managed to find the line of least resistance and I made good time. Hewitt and Beaumont flanked me. I caught a glimpse below me of grey and I dropped to my knees and aimed my Thompson. It was a sandbagged machine gun. We were slightly above it. I put my Thompson down and took out two of the German grenades. I smashed the porcelain caps on them, pulled the cords and threw them high. We dropped to the ground. I heard the German machine gunner shout, "Grenade," just before they exploded. I jumped up and sprayed the emplacement. The crew were dead, dying or wounded.
"Come on!"
We made our way
down the slope. To our right I heard Sergeant Poulson and his men as they fired at the infantry who had lost their machine gun support. To my left Bill and his men had continued on and were now above us and in front of us. The road twisted back on itself and I saw Germans heading back to the town. We had outflanked them. We had paid a price. I saw that some of Lieutenant Johnson's men had been either wounded or killed at the ambush. I whistled to Bill and waved for him to come down. The enemy were now in full flight towards the town. There would be street fighting soon. I would need all of my men close to hand.
Major Siddons joined us. He had binoculars in his hand. "We have been told to capture Salerno as soon as we can. If we can hold it then the navy can use the port to bring in more men and supplies. I would like you to take your section and capture the port, Tom. I know you don't have enough men but with Dawkins guarding the pass and Johnson's men hit hard I am shorthanded. We can take the town if you can take the port."
"Right sir. That is fine." I held out my hand, "Good luck!"
"And you. If we get out of this alive I am putting you in for a commendation."
I shook my head, "Just getting out in one piece will do me sir." I waved my arm in a circle above my head, pumped the air and pointed to the Via Porto below us. It looked deceptively quiet but I knew there would be defences. Our only advantage was that we were attacking from the landward side and the defences would be seaward. We moved through the woods, passing Captain McQueen and his men. I pointed to the road, "The Major wants you and your chaps to join him and take the town. We are off to capture the port."
"Good luck with that, old boy! Rather you than me."
We spread out in a line with Gordy, Scouse and Smith just behind. We moved from the woods through the backs of some houses. They had been shelled by naval fire and still smoked. It hid us from view. There was a Piazza in front of us. I pointed to Hay, Poulson and Beaumont and made the sign to follow. We sprinted across the open ground. There was the crack of a rifle. We kept running. Then a fusillade of shots hit the ground behind us. It was a German ambush. They had a sniper or snipers in a high building.
I heard Gordy shout, "Open fire!"
The Thompsons rattled away and I heard a cry from ahead of us. We kept running and I saw a body hanging from an upstairs window. Four Germans erupted from the door. We just reacted. My gun was up and firing before I even knew they were there. It was instinct. They were mere feet away from us. They fell dead. Bill went to the building, pulled a grenade and threw it inside. We flattened ourselves against the wall. As the dust flew out a dazed German staggered out and Beaumont shot him dead. I whistled.
"Polly, take Beaumont and check the road."
The Via Porto was just ahead of us. Did they have a roadblock? Were there more men hiding in buildings? We had to proceed carefully. The two of them disappeared and Gordy and the rest joined us.
"Sorry about that sir. We were looking down and not at the buildings. My fault."
"No harm done. Let's go."
We caught up with Sergeant Poulson, "The road looks clear, sir. If you use your glasses you might see some guns, yonder."
I took off my Bergen and took out my binoculars. He was right. There was an eighty eight and it was firing towards the beaches. It was a good two hundred yards from us. As I scanned the nearby ground I saw, fifty yards to the right, a fuel or gas tank of some description and pipes leading from it. There was a also a large warehouse type building behind the guns.
"Gordy, see that fuel tank?" He peered ahead and nodded. "The Colonel said these babies have a range of four hundred yards. That tank will be half inch steel. Do you reckon you can give the German gun the hot foot?"
"I can try sir."
He knelt and Smith loaded. We had one more rocket left after this. Smith tapped him on the head. There was a whoosh and the tank exploded showering the contents, I guessed it was petrol, over a huge area. It ignited the ammunition in the gun pit and the gun exploded. It then set off a dozen smaller explosions and the port was filled with thick black smoke.
"Well done Gordy. Right chaps. Let's take advantage of the confusion!"
We ran to the road and then down it. The wind blew the smoke towards the sea. It effectively hid us. I was looking for the dock gates. There would be guards there. If we held the gates then we controlled the port. Sergeant Poulson saw the gate and the guards first. He gave a burst from his Thompson as Emerson hurled a grenade, "Grenade!" We hit the ground as the Mills bomb exploded and the guard hut at the gate was destroyed.
We were on our feet in an instant and racing through the now open gate. We were in! There was an office just inside the gate and three armed men ran out. Crowe and Bill Hay opened fire and cut them down. I pointed to the office. "You two check that out." I saw the huge warehouse type building to our right. It looked to be three stories tall but there were no windows. I guessed it housed material when it was landed at the port. I hoped it might contain something which we could use.
I heard the double crack of two German artillery pieces and the distinctive sound of an Oerlikon followed by what sounded like a tank gun. "The rest of you, come with me. We have to take out those guns."
The smoke from the fire was still helping us and we ran towards the sea. The crack of shells grew louder. I waved Sergeant Poulson to the right. As we came through the smoke I saw that they had two eighty eight millimetre guns, an Oerlikon and an embedded Italian tanks. The four of them were firing at the troops on the beaches south of Salerno.
"Gordy take out the tank." I waved to the others and we sprayed the sandbagged emplacements. They had infantry with them. Our first shots made them duck behind the sandbags. A grenade came over. It landed at my feet. I knelt down, picked it up and threw it back. I barely made the ground before it exploded in the air. It showered the gun crew and the infantry.
I saw the Oerlikon swing around to fire at us. The gun layer was winding as fast as he could. Private Beaumont calmly shot the two men with a short burst from his Thompson. As Sergeant Poulson overwhelmed the last eighty eight there was a whoosh as Gordy Barker fired his final rocket. The tank exploded in a spectacular fireball which knocked us all to the ground.
"Gordy, go to the left and make sure there are no hidden surprises." I ran to Sergeant Poulson, "Sergeant take your men to the sea wall and make sure we are safe. Scouse, send the signal, harbour taken."
Even as I was congratulating myself there was a rattle of rifle fire and Roger Beaumont fell to the ground and Ken Shepherd followed him a shot later. There were still Germans left alive.
"Signal sent, sir!"
"Doc see to the lads. Scouse, Freddie, come with me." Bill Hay and Crowe ran to me. I pointed to the large building which lay at the rear of the docks. That was the only place left where there could be Germans. There were no windows but it had a roof. I emptied my magazine at the parapet as I saw a German helmet. I ditched my Thompson and drew my Colt as I ran to the door of the building. "Crowe, Emerson, check if there is a rear entrance. You two with me."
The door was locked. Bill Hay shot the lock out with his Colt and then kicked it open. He slammed it shut again and threw himself against the wall. "Grenade!"
The door was blown out. Scouse put his Tommy gun around the door and sprayed his bullets in a hundred and eighty degree arc. I ran in and hit the far wall with my shoulder. There was a staircase going up. I heard the sound of a Colt and Crowe and Emerson burst through the back door. They had blown the lock too. I pointed up and they nodded.
I took one side of the staircase and Scouse the other. Bill Hay looked up the stairwell to the top. We were almost at the first floor when he opened up with his Thompson. I heard a cry from above us. When I reached the first floor I pointed to Scouse's gun. He fired in all four corners of the huge building. It appeared to be filled with crates.
I waved the others up and we began to ascend the last flight of stairs. A pair of potato mashers were thrown down. Scouse had very quick reflexes and he kicked them over the si
de. We threw ourselves away from the stairwell and the two grenades went off below us on the ground floor. Bill Hay emptied another magazine at the floor above. "I have had enough of these bastards sir! Let's finish them."
"They are going nowhere and they have used three grenades already." Let's do it the same as before. Fred and Bill, you two cover us. Alan, you come up the middle. Scouse, take the right."
I held my Colt in one hand and my Luger in the other. I felt like Tom Mix! I watched for any movement. I saw a hand and fired the Luger. I hit the doorway and splinters flew. I heard a cry. I took the stairs two at a time and did not pause at the top. I threw myself through the opening. As I landed I saw a German officer just ten feet away. I fired the Colt and a hole appeared in his middle as he was thrown backwards.
I heard Colts, Thompsons and German rifles as the gun fight erupted. I turned and fired at the machine gun which was thirty feet away. My two guns knocked the gunners over the side. Their cries as they fell told me they were still alive; right up until they hit the concrete. I stood and saw that there had been a platoon up here. We had taken out a third of them already. Alan Crowe spun around as he was hit and I put two bullets into the German who had shot him.
Bill Hay was like a man possessed. He was firing his Thompson from the hip and running at the Germans. Scouse also had the wild look in his eyes that told me he had almost lost it. Fred Emerson, in contrast was kneeling and calmly firing his Colt at the Germans. I shouted, "Hands up and surrender or we will shoot you all!"
An officer of the Waffen S.S. raised his Walther. I fired three bullets from my Luger and all three smacked into his face. He fell backwards.
"Are there any more heroes?" I pointed with my Colt. "There is a fleet out there with more men that you can imagine. Surrender now or I will let my men loose on you."
I think it was the look in the eyes of Scouse and Bill Hay which convinced them. The ten survivors dropped their weapons and held up their hands. "Bill, Scouse, disarm them."