by Griff Hosker
"Right lads! At them!" I said to Fletcher. "Stay here and watch my rifle." I took my reloaded Colt and Luger and ran towards the German lines. There were the grisly, writhing bodies of dying Germans as well as the dismembered bodies of those struck by HE. As we neared the rear of their lines dazed Germans stood. I had quick reactions and two automatic weapons. They fell before me. When we reached the mortar pits we stopped. The Germans had fled. To the south I could still hear fighting at the crossroads but we had a perimeter. Then I heard the sound of a Sherman seventeen pounder. The armour had arrived.
I heard the Captain of Company E say, "Form a perimeter!"
Then as I felt the blood dripping from my arm I found myself blacking out. It was though night had fallen again.
Chapter 15
I woke and looked up at a doctor. He shook his head, "What is it about you Commandos? I have had to stitch your Corporal again! And now you have undone all the good work of your Lance Sergeant!"
I said, weakly, "Sorry Doc but no one told the Germans."
"Well you can lie there and rest for at least six hours as can Corporal Fletcher."
"I need to..."
"You need to sleep and this," I felt a prick in my arm, "will ensure that you do."
Blackness followed. When I awoke again I was no longer in a sick bay but in a cot and under one of our tents. Gordy Barker sat by me, "At last, Sleeping Beauty awakes! Morning sir!"
"Morning? What day is this?"
"You were brought back yesterday afternoon just after the Major took the crossroads." He grinned, "We were completely out of ammunition sir! If the Major hadn't arrived we would have had to resort to hoying bricks at them! Trun is in our hands now but the Poles are still having a hard time at Hill 462. I reckon that we have not seen the end of those S.S. yet. Word is that there are still thousands trapped to the south and west of us. The only way home is through here and Hill 462. This isn't over yet sir."
"Did all of your team survive?"
"Freddie and Polly both have flesh wounds but nothing as spectacular as yours. The doc worked for hours stitching your face back together so that you wouldn't look like Frankenstein's Creature!"
"And the rest of the lads?"
"Outside making a brew. We are short of ammo, grenades and food but Fletcher managed to find a couple of bottles of wine! You know sir, that Scouser could fall in a pile of shit and find a ten bob note!"
My arm was bandaged and I struggled to rise.
"Here y'are sir. Give us your good hand. "I reckon you need to walk about a bit and get that anaesthetic out of your head. It took days for me to smell proper after my op."
I emerged from the tent and saw that it was bright sunshine. My men gave me a cheer as I did so.
"Thank you one and all." I tried to give a mock bow but as I nearly fell over I stopped.
Hewitt pulled over an old ammunition box. "Sit down sir. You did too much yesterday. We need to build you up again."
They handed me Sergeant Major's medicine, a huge mug full of hot, over sweetened and incredibly strong tea. As I drank it they told me of the half of the battle I had not seen. "We were hard pushed, sir, on the south side of the road. When the Canadians came it was easier but we had nowt to knock out their machine gun and eighty eight. The Canadians are brave buggers. They lost half their strength. When you lads knocked out the tower then we were able to get closer and we started lobbing grenades. The Canadians had the old Boys rifle. That did the job. It didn't knock out the eighty eight but they made sure it couldn't move and traverse. When the Hurries came the Major was right behind them and the Shermans finished it. We now have a perimeter a couple of miles the other side of Trun."
"But the Germans are still in the hole?"
Sergeant Poulson nodded, "Exactly sir. Their choice is surrender or fight their way out."
"And these are S.S. so we know exactly what they will choose."
"Then we had better be prepared to fight in the line again. I know we are short of ammo and guns. There must be a ton of stuff in Trun."
"That is where Beaumont and Shepherd are right now sir. They went with Bill Hay at first light. If there is anything out there then they will find it."
I relaxed a little, "Good. This is excellent tea. Any food?"
Emerson handed me some cardboard like bread around a huge chunk of mustard covered corned beef. "Sorry sir. The bread is God knows how many days old but we opened the tin fresh this morning!"
I ate it mechanically. The heavy dose of mustard killed any other taste and I knew I needed something inside me.
"Oh by the way sir, the Major asked if you could pop to his headquarters when you have a minute. I'll take you in Bertha if you like." I had not realised that we were still by the river close to the ford.
"Right. When I have finished this feast we will nip down."
I was keen to speak with the Major; not least because I want to know the bigger picture. If we had, indeed, trapped the Seventh Army and the S.S. Panzer divisions then we had the chance to end the war. My wounds and the prospect of losing Susan were a powerful incitement to survive the war.
Already the crossroads in Trun looked different. The road had been cleared of rubble. I could see the road blocks which had been erected on the north south road. The Shermans were all lined up facing the East. This was a bottleneck. The Major had just eight tanks in working order. As we had left our camp I had seen mechanics and engineers working furiously to repair three damaged tanks. They represented more than thirty three percent of our force.
The Major heard the half track and came out to see us. He had the inevitable cigar. He grasped my hand. "My guys have not stopped talking about you! Another Sergeant York! God dammit, Captain, you are a hero. I have put you in for the Military Cross."
"Thank you, sir, but I was just doing what we do."
He shook his head, "Why is it you Brits have to be so modest? You did a damned fine job. You did everything that was asked of and more."
I shrugged, "It is just our nature. Your chaps were splendid. They held the line magnificently. They deserve any credit which is going."
He shook his head, "It looks like it is almost over. We have nearly closed the gap. The Americans and the French are racing for Paris and the Seine! The war is almost over!"
I spoke quietly, "Sir, we are facing the S.S. They do not surrender."
"We have destroyed more than fifty percent of their armour. They have no fuel! They can't hold out."
"They will fight you with everything they have. If they have no fuel they will dig in their Tigers and fight until they have no shells left. Then they will come out and fight until they have no bullets. If they are still alive then they will use their S.S. daggers, their teeth and their claws. When they are dead, that is the time they will stop fighting and they will kill many young men who should live. Do not take your foot off, what is it you say? The gas! They are not finished."
He looked deflated like a balloon from a carnival. He shook his head, "I thought you would have been excited!"
"Major, I joined in September nineteen thirty nine. I was at Dunkirk, Dieppe and St. Nazaire. I landed in Italy and Normandy. I have learned one thing: Germans do not give in. They do not surrender. When we are in Berlin you will see the hint of a smile. When I am walking the down the aisle, back in England, with my fiancée you will see a grin as big as all the world. Until then you will see caution."
He smiled, "I am glad I met you ,Captain. I had no idea what need we had of a handful of Commandos. Now I know. So you think we should dig in?"
I nodded, "Just like the Germans. If they are going to get home they have to come through here. The Poles, from what I have heard, are doing a great job. The more men and tanks we stop here the less we fight in Germany and if you think they are fighting hard for France then just imagine how hard they will fight for Germany!"
"You are right. Thanks for the advice but I am still putting you in for a medal."
When I got back to the c
amp our foragers had returned. We were now better equipped as Germans. They had more MG 42 and MG 34 as well as belt loads of ammunition. They were festooned with grenades. Beaumont shook his head. "It was like wandering through Father Christmas' grotto. All the Canadians wanted were S.S. badges, daggers and hats. We could have brought back a ton more."
"Tomorrow we go back in line. The Germans have to break through here if they are to get home. How many rockets do we have left Beaumont?"
"Eight."
"We use them well. Grenades for the grenade launcher?"
Bill Hay said, "Ten."
"Then we use them wisely. The Canadians are brave lads but you are all fighters and you are killers. That is what we will need tomorrow. Fighters and killers."
They understood and they nodded. Sergeant Poulson asked, "And where will we be sir?"
"Where it is hottest. These lads need us. We won't let them down."
Word was passed to us that Pete Davis was on the mend. He would need a fortnight but we would get him back, eventually. The news raised the spirits of everyone. That night, as I went to the latrine I looked at my face in the mirror. I could not afford for the war to end soon. I looked hideous. The doctor had done a good job but I had a scar running from my eye to my chin. Susan would not want to know me and yet I had tried to protect myself. Sometimes things happened and you had no control over them. It was fate. If she accepted me with a scarred face, then it was meant to be.
We left before dawn for the new front line. We were not asked to go. We did so because the fight was not over and none of us were the sort to back off from bullies. The half track was laden and we were better armed than we had been for some time. We were placed close by the La Dives river and on the road to Magny. The spot we were asked to hold was a little marshy and soft. The Shermans were in danger of bogging down had they used it. Our half track could cope. As soon as we arrived I had the men cut down trees and undergrowth to give us protection and to clear a killing ground. By the time we had finished there was a jumble of wood and bushes before us. An enemy would have to find a way through them before they could get passed. To our left were Company G. They were dug in with machine guns and Bren guns. I did not think there were enough of them for the nearest tank was fifty yards to their left. It too had been dug in. The Canadians were learning how to fight the German way.
We left Bill Hay and John Hewitt in the half track with the MG 42. Sergeant Poulson took the second MG 42 and Emerson with Ken Shepherd. They were by the river. Beaumont and Fletcher took the rocket launcher and their Thompsons. They were to the left of the half track while Sergeant Gordy Barker had the grenade launcher behind the half track. We would direct Gordy from the half track. We had no one spare. There was no reserve. I had the two sniper rifles and I was in the half track. We were committed. The river was to our south and Company A was to our left. The nearest Sherman was sixty yards to our left. I hoped it was close enough.
It was ten when we heard the rumble of armour. In the time we had had left we had placed many booby traps before us. We had plenty of Mills Bombs. We had learned the value of a thrown German grenade. We would use them well. They had no artillery. They had to use their tanks. They were, however, the 1st S.S. Panzer.
They used H.E. first. Luckily for us it was to our left. The Canadians had heeded our advice and dug in. I scanned the advancing troops with my binoculars. I saw few Panthers and Tigers left. They appeared to have a mixed bag of tanks but I did see Paratroopers. I recognised them from their distinctive helmets. From the intelligence we had they were the Sixth Parachute division. They were better than the S.S. for they were good soldiers as well as being fanatical. They would not be easy to kill.
"Watch it lads. These are paratroopers!"
My men needed no further information. I lifted my Mauser. I had two which meant I could fire ten shots before I needed to reload. My arm ached but the doctor had done a good job. I would not be able to indulge in any hand to hand combat but I could still squeeze a trigger. I also had the luxury of the metal of the half track upon which to rest the gun. I would not tire as easily. The paratroopers moved quickly and, like Commandos, used cover well. I sought their officers and sergeants. These were paratroopers and that was not easy. Every paratrooper could make decisions for himself. I chose a close target first. I would then move my aim to the rear of the advancing enemy. I squeezed the trigger as the German soldier darted to take cover behind a tree some four hundred yards from us. He pitched into the river and the others took cover.
I switched to a line of grey a hundred yards further away. It would be harder to make a kill but I just needed to hit them and make them worry about me. These men were zig zagging. I led one and squeezed my trigger again. He fell clutching his shoulder and they went to ground. Lance Sergeant Hay chuckled, "That has them worried now, sir."
I risked looking to my left for I saw their tanks advancing. There were S.S. troops and paratroopers following. The huge Tigers and Panthers afforded good shelter and both types of panzer were hard to kill. I turned my head to look at the advancing paratroopers. They were within two hundred yards of us now. I saw a mortar crew setting up a mortar. They were using a stunted tree for cover. I squeezed off three bullets and both men fell. One was dead but the other was only wounded. I had time to change clips.
"They will be within range soon."
"Yes sir."
To our left the Tigers and Shermans had begun to fire at each other. The Germans were conserving their ammunition and the Major had waited until his shells had the chance of penetrating the thicker German armour.
"Beaumont you might get a side shot at that lead Tiger soon."
"Yes sir but I only have eight rockets left."
If they get too close it will be too late. Use them!"
I fired as he answered me for I had seen another two paratroopers trying to set up the mortar. They were trying to take us out. The half track was our strong point and these were good soldiers. They had identified the danger and would eliminate it. I shot three men before they gave up with that particular mortar.
Next to me the MG 42 ripped away as a line of paratroopers broke cover to get closer to us. Sergeant Poulson's gun joined in. Hewitt shouted, "They were trying to use the river sir!"
I fired another two bullets and then picked up my second Mauser. I heard a whoosh and Beaumont fired a rocket at the Tiger which was now two hundred yards from us. It had already brewed up a Sherman. Private Beaumont had a sharp mind. His rocket could do nothing against the armour of the tank but he could against the track. His rocket exploded against the leading sprocket. The track was irrevocably damaged.
I turned my attention back to the paratroopers as bullets pinged off the half track. I hit one who was raising his sub machine gun. They were not accurate at the range they were using them but they could get a lucky shot. As I glanced to my left I saw the Tiger's barrel turning ominously towards us. Beaumont's rocket had identified a problem. The gun would eliminate it.
"Beaumont!"
"Seen it sir!"
Fletcher banged him on the shoulder after reloading and I saw the flash of the rocket. This time he aimed between the turret and the chassis. He hit and the barrel stopped turning. It was stuck. It could still fire but obliquely. I saw a shell from a seventeen pounder smack into the turret and blow it off. The threat from that damaged Tiger was gone but the bullets which hit our half track showed that we had a closer danger.
I looked over the top. They were now a hundred yards from us. It was the flashes from their guns which identified their position. I shouted, "It is time Gordy. One hundred yards directly in line with us. Try one for effect!"
"Sir!"
I saw the grenade soar high. It exploded ninety yards from us. It must have hit someone for I heard a shout.
"Short!"
"Right sir!"
The second landed thirty yards further on and this time it did hit them. "Bob on! A pattern left and right. When you are empty come up here!"<
br />
"Sir!"
The eight grenades were used to great effect. The two MG 42 machine guns were able to take advantage of paratroopers who were trying to avoid the grenades and the bullets. I found that the fire against the half track had lessened and I sought more targets. I saw a huddle of men behind the damaged Tiger. They were hidden from the Canadians but not us. I fired all five bullets in quick succession. Two fell before they knew where the bullets were coming from and I felled a third before they took cover. An exploding grenade just in front of the half track showered us with shrapnel and Bill Hay fell.
"Gordy, up here now!"
Hewitt pulled Hay to the rear of the half track so that he could tend to his wounds. I grabbed the MG 42. The paratroopers were getting desperate now. I pulled the trigger. It was hard to fire the gun and feed the belt. I only managed a couple of shots at a time. Then Gordy appeared. "Sorry sir."
Once he was on the belt we were able to fire almost continuously. "How is he Hewitt?"
"Left shoulder has splinters and he is another one who now has a face only a mother could love! But he will live!"
I heard Bill say, "Less of the cheek, Hewitt. I call it ruggedly handsome!"
As Gordy changed the belt on the gun I took a potato masher and, using my left hand, threw it high in the air. "Grenade!"
My men were already in cover but they hunkered down a little more as the grenade exploded in the air spraying metal at head height. Then there were no Germans before us. They had gone to ground. As we could not see them and we had no more grenades for the grenade launcher it was stalemate.
Hewitt and a freshly bandaged Hay returned, "Lance Sergeant Hay you rest for a while. Sergeant Barker can feed the gun."
I took out my glasses and looked to the left. Two more Shermans were brewed up and the S.S. were advancing ever closer. I realised that Beaumont did not have line of sight to the tanks. "Beaumont, get up here. You will have a better line of sight to the tanks."
"Sir!"
I knew he only had six rockets left but as the tanks approached his angle of fire would become better.