by Luke Duffy
Next he gave them their individual missions and tasks. He looked to Stu first of all who sat directly across from him on the Southern side of the model. Stu, being the team’s second in command, would be in charge of the ‘Fire Support Group’.
“Stu, you and Jim will be the FSG with the vehicles, along with the three Iraqis.” He nodded to Hussein, Ahmed and Zaid. “They will drive the vehicles and Jim and your self will be the gunners.”
He then turned to the remaining three members who sat on the Western side of the model facing East.
“Ian, Yan, Sini and I will be the assault group.” The three men nodded in acknowledgement. “Yan, I want you as the gunner for the assault. Dismount one of the machineguns from the turrets and grab as much linked ammo as you can carry without being hindered. The rest of us,” he pointed to himself, Sini and Ian, “will be carrying spare boxes of ammo for the gun too. You'll suppress the enemy positions while I, Ian and Sini assault them.”
With everyone now aware of their specific tasks, he moved on. “The situation is, we have a defensive position on the far bank with one heavy machinegun,” he pointed to its location on the small hill on the model with his radio antenna, “a tank and a line of shell scrapes directly in front of the river. We believe that there are more men billeted in the village that begins fifty metres to the rear of the forward line. We haven’t identified any rear protection positions and it seems they’ve concentrated all their attention directly to their front. Altogether, we estimate between twenty and thirty infantry.”
He swept his antenna again over the area of small cardboard ammunition boxes that had been used to simulate the buildings.
“This here,” he pointed out a box that had been painted red and had a twig in the shape of an antenna sticking out from the top, “is what looks like their command centre. If they have any idea what they are doing, they more than likely have a mobile reserve to the rear in the city of Silopi, located about ten kilometres North, between this position here, and the border crossing at Zakho. From what we saw last night from the ridge line, it looks like they have air support too.”
With the situation on the enemy complete, he went on. “The situation of friendly forces, lads, you know as well as I do, there fucking is none. So there's nothing to tell on that matter.”
A low titter resounded amongst the group.
Marcus continued, “Okay, the mission. Our mission is; to destroy all enemy forces in the defensive position within the objective area and withdraw to the North into Turkey.” He looked over the group. “It’s as simple as that.” He then repeated the mission statement. “To destroy all enemy in the defensive position within the objective area and withdraw to the North into Turkey.”
“That's pretty fucking straight forward. I like it,” Sini commented with nods and grunts of approval from the others.
“Okay then, this is where it gets complicated. Execution and concept of operations,” Marcus said as he then went into the details of how they were to do it.
Stu and Jim would provide covering fire from the turret mounted machineguns from two of the vehicles, with the third vehicle remaining just to their rear to act as a backup. They would push forward through the village with their lights off and engines cut to avoid detection, allowing the gentle slope of the track as it dipped toward the river to carry them into position. Stu and Jim would park their vehicles on the South side of the raised irrigation ditch that would provide them with a degree of hard cover from the tank and heavy machinegun on the hill.
They were to hold fire until the signal came from Marcus to engage their primary targets. Stu would be on the left hand side of the track with the best view of the suspected command centre hut.
“Obviously, Stu,” Marcus looked up from the model, “we don’t have night vision, but hopefully, there’ll be enough light at that time of the morning for you to identify the building.”
On the signal, Stu would then begin to fire into the command centre in the hope of killing the people inside and disabling the radios. With the building being made of mud brick, the rounds would pass through the walls as if they were not even there and before long, the hut would probably collapse in on itself as the bricks disintegrated, and in the process, cut communications with any reinforcements that they have to the rear.
At the same time, Jim would engage the heavy machinegun position further up on the hill with his turret gun. He would continue to fire burst after burst into it until he was sure that it was neutralised.
“Jim, unless you nail the machinegun crew, then we in the assault team are wide open from our left flank. Most of our attention will be focussed on dealing with the tank and the dismounted infantry in the trenches and buildings, so be sure you destroy them before you switch fire to any secondary targets.” Marcus raised his eyebrows and Jim nodded that he understood.
Once the two primary targets; the command centre and Dushka, were out of action, the fire support group would then switch fire to suppress any troops coming from the buildings in the village. The assault group would be advancing across their front from left to right and it would be up to Stu and Jim to keep their line of advance free from enemy reinforcements.
Marcus looked at Stu and Jim. “Remember though, we don’t have an unlimited supply of ammo, so get plenty of fire down, but don’t waste it if you don’t need to.”
They both returned with nods and thumbs up gestures.
He turned to Ian, Yan and Sini. “We will push to the West, about a kilometre, and cross the river at the point that Ian and I had a look at earlier. We will then move along the river bank and form up on the start line to the West of the position. Sini and Ian, you will be on the right. I will be in the middle and Yan will be on the left with the machinegun.
“Once we get to the start line, Yan will take up position where he can support the assault with a clear view of the trenches and the village. We will leave the spare machinegun ammo with him and he will act as our immediate fire support as we,” he pointed to himself, Ian and Sini in turn, “assault the position.”
Yan spoke, “I’ll probably be just a hundred metres away from the enemy machinegun position so, please, Jim, kill them with the first burst will you?” He gave Jim a broad smile.
“Will do buddy.”
“Have you two finished flirting? If so, can I continue?” Marcus eyed the two in mock annoyance. “The attack will be initiated by me firing an RPG into the tank. You two will carry one each as well.” He nodded and pointed to Sini and Ian. “The moment you see the flash from the rocket leaving the tube, Stu, Jim and Yan, plaster your targets. It all needs to go off at the same time, and we can’t give them a moment to recover.
“Yan, you will fire on the trenches ahead of the assaulting team, switching fire to the next one along as we go. Be careful of your arcs and keep one eye on us at all times. The last thing we need is a blue on blue and being killed by our own fire support.
“Once we have rolled up the trench positions, Yan, switch fire to the nearest buildings ahead of us. Stu, at that point, you and the rest of the FSG will ford the river and push up behind us looking for further targets in depth.
“That's when Ian, Sini and I will begin the final assault through the huts. Hopefully by then, Stu’s group will have pretty much destroyed the place and it should be just a case of sweeping it clear.”
Everyone was clear on how it was to be done. “We haven’t had the chance to see what their night routine is like, but if their daytime routine is anything to go by, then their security is probably pretty lax. We don’t know if they will conduct a ‘stand to’ or not at first light, but it doesn’t matter, ‘cause we’ll be hitting them just before first light anyway.
“Once the position is clear, we will do a quick check to ensure all enemy are dead and deal with any of our own casualties, then sort our ammunition out and take anything that may be of use. Within a few minutes of the final assault, I want to be heading North like a herd of startled gazelles.”
> He then went on to detail the ‘actions on’. It was a list of ‘what if?’ scenarios and how they would deal with them. What if they were spotted before the attack was due to start? What if there was a breakdown in communications, if they got lost on the way or walked into an ambush? All these questions needed to be pre-empted and they had to have a clear idea of how they would react to each problem as a team.
“Timings; we will move from here at 03:30 to be in our positions by no later than 04:45. Once there, go firm and wait out. H-hour will be at 05:30, just before first light.”
They then synchronised watches to ensure that they all had the exact, to the second, same time as each other.
“The time will be 18:37 in six, five, four, three, two and one.” A series of different beeps went off as every member of the team pressed the buttons on their watches to set the time to the exact second.
“Shit, missed it.”
The beeps went off together, except one. For as long as Marcus could remember, from his time in the army, to the present day, someone always hit their button just that little bit too early or too late and would then have to run around to find someone to re-sync with after the briefing was over. It was Ian’s turn to miss it.
“Fuck sake, it would be me wouldn't it.”
Next, he went into the service and support phase of the briefing. “Get a good scoff in you tonight and try and get a kip. The weapons and ammo are squared away. Yan, let me know how much link for the gun you're carrying once you're sorted. All other kits will be left in the SUVs.
“Now then, prisoners.” He drew in a deep breath. “We take none. You all know what they do to anyone from this side, and on top of that, we can’t carry them and we can’t leave them behind in case they make comms with their mates in the reserve.”
A grumble of agreement resounded from the throats of all assembled. After what they had witnessed and heard, none of the team felt like taking prisoners anyway.
“Radios will be on channel two. We will do a comms check before we leave here, then radio silence until one minute before H-hour to confirm everyone is in position. Once we go noisy, then I want regular updates from Yan and the FSG on what you're doing. Okay, any questions?”
He paused for a moment to allow for any suggestions. None came. “To summarise, Stu and Jim, hit your primary targets as hard and as quickly as you can. We can’t afford a moment for the machinegun or radios to get used.
“Hussein, Zaid and Ahmed,” they nodded in anticipation, “stay focused, and do exactly as Jim and Stu tell you. Don't get scared or panic, and remain behind the steering wheel of your vehicles.
“It’s surprise, speed and aggression that will get us through this one. The harder and faster we hit them, the less chance they'll have to recover. Keep up the rate of fire and momentum and make sure you're all communicating with each other as you move.
“Once the position is taken, we will quickly reorganise ourselves and check for survivors and anything of use. Once complete, we’ll push north as fast as we can to the main crossroads and then turn West.”
They conducted a set of rehearsals, with everybody standing in positions that related to where they would be during the attack and what they would be doing. It was known as a ‘walk through talk through’. It was just a rough set of rehearsals that put everyone in the complete picture; so that they knew where they would be in respect to everyone else once the shooting started.
The orders briefing was over and everyone moved off to finish their preparation or just to sit with their own thoughts. Everyone was scared, despite the brave faces and wisecracks. Anyone who says they're not afraid before an attack is either insane or lying.
It’s the most unnatural thing in the world to do.
Every instinct says not to do it, not to move forward into the hail of enemy fire, the explosions and shrapnel, the man with the gun pointed at you, but it’s the years of training and experience that carries professional soldiers forward, when most people would turn and run in the opposite direction.
There is also the sense of duty. Not duty to the crown or government, but the duty to the friends fighting alongside. A soldier doesn’t fight for a cause or an idea; he fights for the man at the side of him and the men of his unit.
Stu and Ian sat together as they ate. “Bit outnumbered aren’t we?” Ian spoke the same words that Stu had been thinking.
Stu passed his mug of tea to Ian who began slurping away at it. “Yeah, but like Marcus said, we hit them hard enough, we should come out on top. Plus, you saw them yourself; they're not exactly switched on are they?”
“Aye, that's true. Anyway, you've no brew left so I'm off to have a nap.” Stu watched as his friend stood and walked away toward his vehicle.
Marcus sat alone thumbing the buttons on his phone as he typed out a text to Jennifer. Before he pressed send he deleted the message. She knew that he loved her, he didn't need to worry her by texting her before an attack and leaving her wondering if he was okay. He would try and call them after it was all over.
It was time to move. The night sky was pitch black and with only a scattering of stars. There was no moon and the landscape was a dull, dark grey around them. Their bodies cast dark silhouettes and it was a while before their eyes began to adjust to the darkness.
They felt grateful for the lack of moonlight, it gave them the extra cover they needed. All it would’ve taken was for a glint of moonlight to reflect from one of the windows of the vehicles and their plan could be compromised.
There was a slight breeze drifting from the open flat plain of the Iraqi landscape to the South. A chill in the air made the men shiver as they stood close together, anxious to get moving and get the job out of the way.
They gathered around the vehicles and listened in as Marcus gave a set of confirmatory orders, roughly outlining the task ahead. Nothing had changed in the plan and everything was set to go.
Both groups then separated, Marcus and his assault group headed across the junction and toward the West in a wide arc, avoiding getting too close to the river, while Stu and the remainder of the FSG began to push and shove their vehicles across the crossroads and turned right toward the tip of the village.
Even with the ground at a slight slope, it was still difficult to push the heavy armoured monsters through the junction. They had disabled the brake lights and any interior lighting to avoid being detected. Once they had completed the right turn, the wheels turned easier as the SUVs gathered momentum and slowly rolled toward their positions.
The assault group walked one behind the other, with Marcus leading the way. They passed through a field of dying crops and turned North toward the river. They couldn’t see it but they could hear it and it grew louder in their ears as they approached. It was perfect cover for them, but Marcus knew it was a double-edged sword. Though it stopped the enemy from hearing them as they drew closer, it also prevented Marcus and his men from hearing anything beyond the river. A battalion of tanks could’ve parked up in the enemy position and he would never have known.
As they advanced, he heard a sudden commotion behind him; the sound of a weapon being dropped and a body hitting the floor, followed by a grunt and a groan. Had Ian fallen as he walked at the rear of the group?
He heard more grunts and sounds of a struggle, then, he heard the lament of one of the dead.
Marcus sprinted back to the rear of his team. In a heap on the floor he saw three forms as they struggled against each other. Sini was underneath and Yan was crouched over the top, pulling at the body that struggled in between them, trying to pull it away from his friend on the bottom of the pile.
Ian appeared on the other side of them as he ran up from the rear. He stopped short when he saw the body of the infected, thrashing at Sini as he held it away from him, his hands thrust under its chin, holding it at bay.
It grabbed at his head and neck, trying to pull Sini’s face closer to its mouth as its teeth gnashed together, over and over. Yan tugged at the clothing o
f the creature and began to drag it away. He swung both arms to the right and the body tumbled to the ground and away from Sini.
Sini was fast; he drew the knife he had attached to his assault vest and rolled to his left and up into a crouch, the weapon raised and the weight of his body carrying him forward toward the corpse as it struggled to gain its footing for another attack.
Sini closed the gap fast and slammed the blade deep into the top of its skull, burying it to the hilt, feeling the point puncture through the hard bone and into the soft brain inside. He caught his balance before he collapsed with it. The knees of the creature collapsed from underneath and the knife came free in Sini’s hand.
He looked down in disgust and wiped the blade on the back of the now permanently dead man sprawled in the grass. The smell of the body assaulted their senses. It had the stink of a corpse that had been left in the sun and that's exactly what it was. It just didn't lie in the sun, it walked in it.
Marcus eyed him and gave him the thumbs up. It wasn’t a ‘congratulations on a job well done’ or in appreciation of his skill; it was a question asking if he was okay and unscathed. Sini patted his body and checked his neck for any damage before he returned the gesture and nodded.
He crouched and picked up his weapon and Yan patted him on the shoulder, nodding, then walked on ahead, close on Marcus’ heels.
The river was just fifty metres away and Marcus signalled for his group to stop. Alone, he pushed forward to check the opposite bank as he crouched in the reeds by the waterside. It was clear, and he returned to lead the others across.
Stepping into cold water, during the middle of the night, is never a pleasant experience. It reminded Marcus of his army days. In fact, the whole thing did. He thought that he had left the crawling about in the dark, and conducting recce patrols and river crossings, far behind him when he became a private security contractor.