Opening Moves (The Red Gambit Series)

by Gee, Colin

  Hall gained height again and tried to control the battle as best he could. Williams played chicken with one Russian and both were lucky to avoid collision. The skilful Soviet turned his machine in a manoeuvre that defied the textbook and lashed out at Williams from a side angle. Shuddering under impacts, he dragged his aircraft around, feeling the G force build.

  Unfortunately fatal damage had already been done.

  The Typhoon had always had a tail section problem, which had sometimes resulted in catastrophic frame failures. Williams’ tiffie had been modified to prevent this from happening but the modification did not take account of direct hits from heavy machine guns. .50 cal bullets had bitten into the fuselage at the point of the modification and the high G turn finished the job. He didn’t have time to scream before his aircraft disintegrated around him.

  As Williams died, so did the other Russian.

  Hall watched as the young protégé used textbook flying to get into a firing position. In the mess later, Hall claimed that McKenzie fired for about half a second maximum. However long he fired, it proved enough and another Soviet aircraft fatally succumbed to the laws of gravity, diving in an ever-increasing fireball and striking the green field below.

  Again, the young pilot pulled his aircraft around and located his last quarry. He guided his aircraft into firing position, vowing revenge for Williams. This enemy pilot was clearly experienced and kept out of the line of fire, side slipping expertly, all the time getting nearer to safety. However, McKenzie was remorseless, Hall would later say clinical, and bided his time until again a single burst of fire ended the action.

  Too low to bail out, the dying pilot rode his burning charge into the River Weser.

  It was later discovered that eighteen rounds had been fired from each of the Hispano Mk II cannon, representing less than two seconds of finger on button time.

  Witchcraft indeed.

  The five aircraft gathered themselves and headed back to their base, unaware that all was not how it had been when they left.

  On arrival, they landed carefully and went about the business of finding their friends, dead or alive and preparing for the grim work that inevitably now lay ahead.

  Operation Kurgan had enjoyed large-scale success and the allied air forces had been dealt crippling blows.

  “A good run is better than a bad stand”

  Irish proverb

  CHAPTER 42 – THE COMMANDERS

  0545 hrs Monday, 6th August 1945, Headquarters, US Forces in Europe. I.G.Farben, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany.

  In the huge building, pandemonium broke out on receipt of Clark’s message. Staff and intelligence officers were noisily awoken by subordinates needing orders and as the time elapsed the higher was the rank of those whose rude awakening kick started the day from hell. Indecision piled on indecision until someone decided to rouse Eisenhower from his slumbers, which decision was given impetus by the sound of explosions when a Soviet air attack hammered one of the Frankfurt airbases.

  Shaking the sleep from his eyes, the chain-smoking General of the Army lit the first cigarette of the day and started to organise the chaos around him, sending out the warning orders to his and allied commands. Even though he was now technically only responsible for the American zone in Germany, a contingency plan was in place for a reversion to the previous tried and successful SHAEF structure in an emergency, which Eisenhower reasoned this was. He initiated the reversion process immediately.

  Visiting his headquarters at the time was Lieutenant-General Sir Richard McCreery. Presently commander of the British Forces in Austria, he and a number of senior Allied officers were staying in Frankfurt overnight, ready for a round of conferences and steering groups that week. Business in a peacetime army is conducted at a different pace and in a different style, which explained why Army and Corps commanders from all the allied nations started to arrive in the main headquarters to receive that most vital of military requirements; information.

  The staff officers started to assimilate reports coming through from commands all over Europe and information started to flow through channels all the way up to the Supreme Commander.

  Maps were annotated with information and the observing generals started to appreciate what was going on through the length and breadth of occupied Europe.

  Some Army commanders saw what was happening, turned to their subordinates firing off a few quick orders, and sent their corps commanders packing immediately.

  Intelligence officers briefed and re-briefed Eisenhower and the Senior Commanders repeatedly, changing estimates and intents as more facts and reports came in.

  It was certainly apparent that this was a designed general assault stretching from Denmark to the Alps, with widespread attacks on headquarters, air force and intelligence facilities throughout the occupied lands.

  Losses in men and equipment appeared severe and control had, to all intents and purposes, been lost.

  It was this that posed Eisenhower his biggest problem, especially as he started to wrestle with it at the same time as the shocking report about Montgomery came in from Bad Oeynhausen.

  Eisenhower beckoned McCreery to a quieter corner and the British Cavalry Officer moved to the Americans side, displaying the limp he had acquired during his Great War service, when he had lost toes from his right foot, gained a hole in his leg and the MC on his breast.

  “Monty is down Dick. Not dead but he’s very bad.”

  McCreery was a professional soldier with an excellent reputation for steadfastness and command ability. He was also a quiet man and mainly he kept his thoughts to himself. He merely breathed deeply and pursed his lips by way of response.

  “Can General Winterton handle Austria for us?”

  The query was accompanied by eyes probing for truth in the reply.

  “Indeed he is capable Sir. Most competent.”

  Eisenhower nodded and tossed himself a cigarette from his pack.

  “In which case tell him he has Austria under Clarke. Priority is to preserve his forces intact until we can organise and stop the reds. Keep tied in on his flanks and no holes. Take out his bridges as he goes. Give up nothing he doesn’t have to but keep casualties to a minimum. I stress, preserve his force.”

  A moment’s thought.

  “Better tell him we have lost most of our air for now.”

  Such a simple statement held so much meaning that was bad for the allies.

  “I want you to take 21st.”

  McCreery started to speak, on his way to registering the fact that 21st Army Group was an appointment within the purview of His Majesty’s Government.

  Eisenhower smiled and stopped him short.

  “We will sort out the niceties later. Now we need a commander in place.”

  McCreery could not object to that reasoning.

  “Same brief for you too.”

  Turning back to face the hive of activity Ike gesticulated at the large situation map, already changed since they had moved away from it.

  “If I’m any judge the Reds are after Hamburg in your area. Make sure they do not get it. Hannover looks like it’s a main target too. Do not give it up easily but don’t be cut off. No Bastogne’s until I know what the heck is going on. They are already behind you in Denmark but I doubt it is in significant numbers. Get on to that, firm up your Intel everywhere and get back to me please. I will make sure your headquarters gets all my intelligence as soon as possible”

  “And if they split my force at Hamburg? What then Sir?”

  Eisenhower considered that for a moment, lighting another cigarette from the stub of the one he then tossed into a plant stand nearby.

  “The loss of Hamburg would be severe indeed as I see it. If it happens, we will survive but I want you to make sure it doesn’t. Even with Hamburg standing, we may well suffer a split at that point, as communications and supply would be difficult. Have a contingency drawn up for a separate command of all forces north of Hamburg if it comes to it.”

  Anothe
r thought crossed Ike’s mind.

  “I will cut orders placing the American Divisions of 13 Corps north of Hannover under your direct command.”

  That was not something done lightly but it did make sense.

  McCreery nodded accepting the gift of more fighting men with suitable British aplomb.

  It went without saying but Eisenhower felt the need anyway.

  “I have every confidence in you. We will do what is necessary to prevail here.”

  Eisenhower held out his hand.

  “Good luck Dick. I shall inform your new command of your imminent arrival.”

  The shake sealed the appointment.

  “Thank you Sir and good luck to you too.”

  A crisp salute and the new commander of British 21st Army Group went on his way to organise his command.

  Gathering himself for a moment, Eisenhower looked at the demeanour of his senior men. Some agitated, some calmly absorbing the information that flowed in from all sources, coalescing on the map in front of them and in written reports arriving by hand.

  With his back towards Ike, Omar Bradley stood apart, hands on hips, observing the map and his area of command alter minute by minute, red arrows appearing to indicate an all-points assault by the armies of the Soviet Union.

  He became aware that Eisenhower was stood silently by his side, more because the smoke started to sting his eyes.

  “Hell of a thing Ike, hell of a thing. One day someone will ask why we didn’t see this coming.”

  Eisenhower cocked a sage eyebrow at the commander of his largest field force.

  “Let us hope and pray that we will be there to contribute to the discussions General.” He said in a light tone.

  Bradley retorted, similarly lightly.

  “And that they are not conducted in Russian.”

  That drew a light snort from Eisenhower as the calm exchange was interrupted by more reports from harried staff officers.

  One Colonel, unruffled and competent, passed over a neat handwritten list. A visitor to the Headquarters, he was without responsibilities but had taken it upon himself to start compiling a list of units that had not made contact.

  “Damn good thinking Colonel. Hustle up some more manpower and develop that as far as you can. Update me when anything really major comes to light. Carry on.”

  A crisp salute exchanged and the bright Colonel went on his way.

  The two generals exchanged satisfied nods and alone again, the businesslike talk of war took over.

  “I have appointed McCreery to head up 21st. Monty won’t be fit for a long time, if ever. Very bad so I am told.”

  Bradley, being Bradley, said nothing. He had always coexisted with Monty reasonably well but understood the man’s complex ego issues had not helped at times. McCreery was a different man and the appointment was sound. In many ways, it worked out very well.

  “I gave him 13 Corps. Seemed sensible to me. Bill Simpson won’t be impressed but I’m sure you will sweet talk him. Alvan Gillem has been under the British before so he should be onside”

  Bradley blew a soft raspberry by way of reply, as he cancelled off those units from his thinking.

  “Sir, General Gillem was at the Schloss Kransberg. There is no news as yet. His deputy is in charge for now.”

  Issues with the possible loss of a Corps commander aside, Eisenhower knew his man was not happy but hoped he would see the sense of it soon enough. Anyway, now was not the time for disagreement, as both men knew, so he moved straight into the task ahead.

  “I’m sorry to hear that Brad, and he’s not the only fine officer we may have lost there today. I’m still waiting on the official list from Kransberg but you bet it won’t make pretty reading.”

  He got no disagreement on that one.

  Moving deftly onto the weighty matters of the new European war, Ike gestured at the map that was being prepared by the army of staff personnel in front of their eyes, preparing for a full briefing at the earliest possible moment.

  “This is not what we expected from our understanding of Soviet doctrine. A broad front attack?” Ike left that hanging, inwardly working out the why’s and wherefore’s of the Soviet’s strategic departure.

  His right hand shot out, complete with newly lit cigarette, selecting specific points to reinforce his words.

  “Paratrooper attacks, sabotage, assassinations throughout Germany.”

  Bradley grabbed his chin and awaited his turn.

  When it came, he was his usual brief self.

  “They intend to push us to see how far back we will go while surprise and panic reign.”

  His hands prescribed fluid arcs over the map.

  “You can bet the farm that they will revert to type when we can get organised and online. Then we will see the remaining breakthrough points heavily reinforced.”

  Bradley turned to look at Eisenhower.

  “You remember what that German General Balck said? The Russians do what works and this works for them right now but they will revert to standard doctrine once the thing shakes out because that has always worked for them in recent years.”

  Eisenhower nodded, agreeing with an assessment he had already arrived at himself.

  “What did the Germans call the method? Reinforce success in force with the OMG? Operation Manoeuvre Group wasn’t it?”

  Bradley sniggered.

  “I believe Von Mellenthin said OMG stood for ‘Oh Mein Gott’.”

  “I can understand that Brad, I sure can understand that.”

  Eisenhower studied the map closely. He turned his head and whispered.

  “Tell you what I think. This is contemptuous, almost like they have no respect for us, pushing everywhere at once, expecting us to fold and retreat.”

  Bradley nodded his agreement and whispered back.

  “Well they are right about one thing.”

  He looked at Eisenhower.

  “Retreat is something we simply have to do if we are going to preserve our capabilities, sort out this mess, and get organised to roll them back.”

  Eisenhower nodded slightly.

  “Amen General.”

  He snorted as a thought crossed his mind.

  “You know something. I just thought, they never attacked us here. Why was that I wonder?”

  Bradley narrowed his eyes in thought. Eisenhower continued.

  “D’you reckon it’s like we were with Rommel and they think they have the measure of us and don’t want replacements they don’t know?”

  His general looked at his commander with a set in his eyes that Ike had rarely seen.

  “Ain’t they in for a big goddamned surprise then.”

  Eisenhower laughed and patted Bradley on the back.

  What neither knew at that time was that Soviet units had tried to attack the headquarters but faulty intelligence led them to attack the wrong I.G.Farben building and things did not go well for them.

  The interlude over, strategic appraisal recommenced as a report on aircraft losses was handed to Eisenhower.

  “Bad losses in air across the board but some good news that a number of tac-air units, mainly Brits, had recently moved back ready to stand down. Unless I’m mistaken, they will get back online soon but air command structure has taken some serious hits. So too radar.”

  Bradley acknowledged that but, whilst it was a help, what was needed was men in the field.

  “Ike, we need to get our units back to Europe quickly.”

  Eisenhower nodded and beckoned a lurking signalman forward.

  Swiftly dictating a general order to be sent to commands preparing to return to their homelands or already at sea, Eisenhower initiated the first stages of a return.

  “That will get the ball rolling. We will get the details sorted out later. Now, let’s see what we can do to sort out this mess and then we better let our leaders know that the world has changed overnight.”

  Both Bradley and Eisenhower strode forward and began the process of getting order back.
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  1030 hrs Monday, 6th August 1945, Headquarters, US Forces in Europe. I.G.Farben, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany.

  A full briefing on the situation was not possible for some time so the allied commanders strove to make decisions as best they could. Finally, a formal time was arranged for a delivery of all that was known before Eisenhower sent all his commanders on their way to their parent formations, hopefully with definite orders and a general plan.

  At 1030 hrs precisely the large map was ready, a map that on the previous quiet evening had been solely appointed with corps zones, army locations and indications of the demarcation lines in Europe but now staggered under the weight of the intelligence garnered from a thousand reports from across Europe.

  An American Brigadier-General started his work from notes.

  Soviet attacking forces seemed to have penetrated the allied line at will, sometimes with subterfuge, using allied tanks sent to help the effort in the war against Germany to bluff their way through, sometimes using silent massed infantry to overwhelm defensive positions. Often no artillery was employed so surprise was pretty much complete. Where the god of war did thunder, defenders reported barrages the like of which they had never experienced.

  Working from top to bottom, there seemed to be little by the way of good news.

  Reports from Danish authorities indicated Soviet troops had landed on some of the eastern islands. Combined with news of the sinking of three British vessels, it seemed the Russians wanted the Baltic door firmly closed.

  Reliable reports from Lubeck stated that Soviet artillery was falling all over the city and infantry were already in the suburbs, attacking on two fronts.

  More red arrows ran almost to Trittau, a short distance east of Hamburg.

  Better news emanated from elements of the 82nd US Airborne division, who seemed to have held their ground in the face of waves of Soviet infantry south of that route.

  More disturbing was the combination of action reports at Melbeck and Grünhagen, south of Luneberg, where Russian paratroopers were reported in control of the road bridges and in contact with elements of the 84th US Infantry division’s 309th Engineer Battalion. Soviet tanks and infantry were hammering on the southern edge of Uelzen and the lack of response to any messages aimed at the 335th Regimental Combat Team of the 84th, known to be stationed in Uelzen and Bodenteich, meant that the divisional cavalry was having a hard time of it. 11th Guards Army had blasted its way through with artillery and rockets before the tanks of the 1st Tank Corps relieved paratrooper units who had taken the canal bridge east of Uelzen. If this report was true then Soviet units were already nearly ten miles beyond first point of contact, and that report was timed at 0840 hrs.