by Griff Hosker
"I don't know, Gordy." I could hear gunfire to the north and south of us. "Someone is still fighting. Take charge Gordy. I am going to the house to have a look see."
When I reached the top I could see smoke everywhere. My binoculars showed me where vehicles burned. Then I saw a sight which gave me hope, it was a line of tanks and they were coming from our lines. Someone had summoned armour. Now we had a chance. When I returned to the castle I saw that the men were ready for the next attack. "I think we might have a lull for while. One man in two go and get some food and bring it back for the others."
One of Sergeant Thompson's men said, "Where from sir?"
Sergeant Thompson growled, "Are you a Commando or not Ridley?"
"Sorry, Sarge!"
The rest of the day passed without an attack and we rested. A spotter aeroplane, one of ours lazily circled for an hour during the afternoon. Some anti aircraft guns tried to discourage it but they failed. Then it flew west. At dusk a runner from headquarters found us. He looked relieved when he found us. "Major Styles said you would still be here sir but from the smoke we saw I had my doubts."
"Any orders Private?"
"The Major did not want to write this down but he said there will be an attack on the Germans tomorrow. The Jocks are coming in, sir. They are going to attack Bréville-les-Monts, sir."
And?"
"And what sir?" He looked confused.
"What are we to do?"
"Oh, he said that we were to hold. If he needs you to do anything sir he will use the radio."
"Thank you. Then tell him we are down to ten men who are fit to fight. We are a little restricted in what we can achieve."
Gordy said, "Aye, tell him Berlin is out of the question!"
He saluted and left us. "Well gentlemen it seems we have a chance."
"Unless they come again in the morning sir. We are down to less than forty rounds each!"
"Right, after dark we will see what we can get from the dead!"
We were undisturbed as, like grave robbers of old, we took the guns and ammunition from the dead Germans. By dawn we had enough to hold them off if they attacked. In the event they did not for we had a front row seat to the attack of the Highland Division on Bréville-les-Monts. The Scottish Division had Bren carriers and were supported by the Hussars. We saw the battle unfold in pieces as the fighting came back and forth before us moving in and out of sight behind hedges, woods and buildings. They lost most of their vehicles but the Scots managed to take the outskirts before being forced back to the 9th Airborne sheltering in the woods. Things looked grim and, as night fell the Germans still held Bréville-les-Monts. Scouse came running over. "Sir, its Major Styles. He wants to speak with you."
"Yes Major."
"We have had a bad day today, Harsker. Not us personally but the Highland Division has been badly knocked about. Brigadier Hill is going to use everything we have to attack at twenty two hundred tonight." He paused. "Lord Lovat intends to use whatever spare men we have to support them."
I shook my head. The words blood and stone came into my head. "Sir I have ten men who are fit to fight."
"And that is ten more men who can help, Harsker. I know you have done more than enough but just one more push. Lord Lovat is going in too. When you hear the pipes then you know where he will be."
I sighed. I knew when I was beaten, "Right sir, and our objective?"
"Support the 12th Paras; Lieutenant Colonel Johnson. They are attacking the crossroads. You know it. That is where you were the other day."
"Right sir. We go in at twenty two hundred?"
"There will be an artillery barrage first then you go in. Your start line is the road close to your position."
"Aren't there Germans there, sir?"
"Aerial reconnaissance reckon they have consolidated in Bréville-les-Monts."
That made sense. "Right sir. We could do with some medical attention for our wounded sir."
"As could we all. Do your best eh Tom. We are counting on you."
"Are you coming along too sir?"
"We will be approaching from the other side. Hopefully we will meet in the middle eh?"
"Yes sir."
I gathered my men around them. I owed it to them all to give them the news at the same time. "We are going to help the 13th tonight." They took it stoically enough. "I will only take the men who are fit. That means just ten of us. Lance Sergeant Hay, I am leaving you in command. Hopefully this will be the last battle for us. I have told the Major that we need pulling out. Be ready at twenty one hundred. Get some rest and get some food!"
I handed my sniper rifle to Bill Hay. He nodded. "I'll look after it sir. Just until you get back."
I began to fill my battle dress pockets with ammunition and hung grenades from my assault jerkin. I made sure that my guns were both loaded. I fitted the silencer. Attacking in the dark that might just give me the edge. I blacked up. It was a habit but it worked. I made sure that the backs and palms of my hands were also camouflaged.
I drank my water bottle and had Scouse refill it for me. When he handed it to me he said, "I can come with you, sir. I have one good hand!"
"I need you here on the radio and we need men who have two good hands. Thanks for the offer, Fletcher. One of these days you will make sergeant. If I make it back then I will recommend you."
"Don't be daft sir, of course you will make it back!"
I saw Bill Hay watching me. "Sergeant Barker, Private Davis and Corporal Hewitt are the only three left from our section who are still alive and don't have wounds. The odds are not looking good."
"Forget the odds sir. We are the best section in the Brigade and that's no lie. We have been in worse positions than this. We'll see yer in the morning, sir, when you and the lads walk back here. We'll have a brew on."
I brightened, "You have tea?"
"Not yet sir but that runner from headquarters reckon they have some there. When it gets nice and dark..."
"I don't need to know the details, Fletcher."
Nine o'clock soon came. The ten of us gathered by the tank, "Well chaps if I don't make it back I want you all to know that is has been an honour to serve with you. I could not ask for better comrades. You have truly been as close to me as any brother I might have had."
Bill Hay said, quietly, "Keep that story for after the war eh sir? We'll sit in a pub and talk about these times." The ones who were remaining behind all stood, even Beaumont, and saluted. I returned the salute and then I turned and led the men down the hill.
We halted at the road. This was our jump off point and I did not want to advance any further. I believed Air Reconnaissance but I did not wish to stray into the maelstrom of an artillery barrage. We waited in silence. It was a deathly quiet night and sound travelled a long way. I looked at my watch. It was suddenly illuminated as the first shells were fired. Naval guns added their fire power to the Royal Artillery. Then the Germans fired their own in reply. It was an aerial duel. The field before me was suddenly filled with craters as the Germans shelled it. We dived into the ditch. It was confirmation that they had pulled back.
The barrage had diminished enough by ten so that we could risk the field. Knowing that the land was empty between us and the village we ran. I heard small arms fire ahead. I took out my silenced Colt. I avoided the roads and ran, instead, across the rough ground which bordered the outlying houses. As we ran I was aware that the German bombardment had stopped but mortars were still being fired. I saw ahead a knot of paratroopers. Thankfully they wore their berets. Their helmets looked very similar to the German ones. Even as we hurried towards them a shell fell amongst them and killed them all.
I knew that the crossroads was not far ahead. A furious fire fight was going on. As we approached a shell exploded in a building and I saw, by its light, German soldiers setting up a machine gun. A hundred yards away I saw British soldiers. If the machine gun fired they would be slaughtered. I waved my men forward. Flames began to flare up from burning buildi
ngs and the fire caught hold. Soon it was like daylight to our left. I fired my silenced weapon. There were enough men ahead that I did not need to aim. One fell and the others looked at his body wondering how he had died. I fired again and this time my men fired too. The delay saved us for we were upon them before they could bring their weapons to bear. I emptied the Colt at point blank range and then used it like a club.
"Get the machine gun turned!"
As the last of the gunners was slain I spied more Germans coming from the east. Then a stick of paratroopers ran up to us. "Sergeant White of 3rd Platoon, A company 12th Airborne Battalion. Thanks sir, you saved our bacon."
"Harsker of Number 4 Commando. Spread your men out Sergeant. How many do you have?"
"There are just nine of us."
"And I have ten. We have double the numbers eh? Spread your men out and take cover. We will hold. Lord Lovat is supposed to be coming down that road."
"Right sir."
I quickly reloaded my gun as Barker and Davis swung the machine gun around. My men had placed the German bodies in front of the gun to afford some protection. Machine gun fire and grenades ahead told us that the battle was raging on the other side. We had our crossroads but it was tenuously held.
The Sergeant came back to me. "The men are in their positions sir. But we are short of ammo. "
"Some of your lads were ambushed up the road aways. I know it is gruesome but..."
"Don't worry sir the dead don't mind and we are getting used to it." He hesitated, "Any survivors?"
I shook my head, "A 75mm shell. They knew nothing about it."
"Best way, sir. I'll go and get their ammo." He gestured back to his men. "No point in upsetting the lads." Sergeant White was a real leader. He looked after his men like a mother hen. He ran down the lane we had used for our approach.
We had been spied by the Germans. Bullets came our way. "Hold your fire until I say." I took out a grenade and placed it on the garden wall next to me. I was a little exposed but I had to have a good view. I wanted to inflict the maximum casualties with the small number of men under my command. Sergeant White ran back. His face was grim. He just shook his head and then began to distribute the ammunition.
My beret was suddenly plucked from my head. Gordy grabbed my arm and jerked me down, "Use some sense sir! You are the only officer left!"
The advancing line was now a hundred yards away. "Fire!"
The MG 42 is a good weapon and it chopped its way across the ground to hit the Germans now lit up by the burning village. They were veterans. I could see that. They threw themselves to the ground and returned our fire. Some rolled to the side and took cover in the buildings along the side. My hope was the fire. If it drew close enough it might make them break cover and then we could shoot them. I had emptied my Colt and I now began to fire my Luger. I husbanded my bullets. I regretted now not bringing the rifle. The fire had made it easier to see the enemy. I saw a gun rise from behind a wall and I took aim on the gun itself. Sure enough a head began to appear and I fired three shots. The head jerked back.
A German voice shouted, "Quick, Reckow, take five men around the back and flank them!"
I said to Gordy, "You and Davis come with me. They are trying to flank us. Sergeant White take command!"
"Sir!"
Picking up my grenade we turned and went back to the end of the village. I led them through the garden of the house. A shell had opened one room. When we got to the back garden there was a gate leading to a narrow path. We stepped on to it. As we did so the six Germans appeared. We saw each other simultaneously. I dropped to one knee and emptied the Luger. Davis sprayed with his Thompson and then fell behind me. I pulled the pin and threw it. "Grenade!"
Gordy dropped to the ground as I did but cried out. He had been hit. The concussion deafened me. I stood and drew my Colt. They were all dead. Gordy had been hit in the left arm. I looked around and saw that Davis had been hit in the side. His wound was more serious. I reached in to my assault jerkin and took out a field dressing. I opened his battle dress and pressed it next to the wound.
Gordy had fashioned a crude tourniquet around his arm. "I am fine sir. Let's get the lad back to Hewitt!"
Between us we managed to get Davis on his feet. We carried him through the narrow path to the front of the house. The fire fight was still going on and they needed me. "Hewitt!"
Corporal Hewitt ran towards us. "Two for you. Give me your Thompson!"
He thrust his gun into my hand and, cocking it, I ran to the line. The Germans had encroached further. I emptied the magazine in their direction oblivious to the bullets screaming past my head. I saw that two of the Airborne were down. We were losing. We had to hold! I fired a long burst from my Thompson then I took another grenade from my assault jerkin and hurled it high in the air. "Grenade! Down!" It exploded in the air. Although we were showered with small pieces of shrapnel the force was borne by the advancing Germans.
Suddenly the air was filled with the sound of shells being dropped. They were 25 pounder shells! We were being shelled by our own side! Luckily for us we were on the ground and it was the Germans who took the full force of the barrage. When it stopped I could hear nothing. I stood, dazed. The Germans were dead or fled. We held the crossroads. I looked at Sergeant White, he was grinning and he held his thumb up. I nodded and pointed towards the village. He nodded. I went to Hewitt. Gordy was smoking, his arm in a sling. "Sir, Davis needs a doctor. I have stopped the bleeding but God knows what damage has been done."
I put my arm around him, "You have worked miracles, John. We will get a doctor."
I was not sure if I was telling him what I hoped or I believed. I had lost the ability to think.
Sergeant White shouted, "Sir! Someone coming!"
"Stand to!"
I put another magazine in the Thompson, "Stand to!"
We watched and waited. We had sent one company packing. We could not withstand an attack from a second! I saw the uniform of the paratroopers. It was the 12th. Colonel Parker, heavily bandaged, walked resolutely towards us. Sergeant White saluted, as did I.
Colonel Parker shook the Sergeant's hand and then mine. "Well done chaps. The village is ours. We have won." I grinned from ear to ear. He looked at me. "Well done Captain. Sorry about Lord Lovat."
"What sir?"
"Didn't you know? A shell hit the command post. I got this and Lord Lovat was wounded. We have no idea how he is. But he would be proud of you."
It seemed that the gods of war were indifferent in their games. You could be a lord and still suffer the same fate as a Cockney whose mother would grieve for the rest of her days. I slumped to the ground. We had won and yet, was it worth the price.
Epilogue
On the 13th of June the Royal Ulster Rifles relieved us. We were sent on foot back to Ouistreham. It was filled now with lorries and men. We had our fingers in Normandy and we would hold on to it. Davis had been taken to a hospital. The Irish doctor who tended to him was confident that he would survive. Gordy left too. It was just Corporal John Hewitt and myself who waited at the quayside of the Orne Canal waiting for our ride back to England. He looked drawn. My corporal had worked wonders. He had fought as hard as any and he had saved so many lives that I could not even begin to count them.
"I shall put you in for sergeant, John."
He shook his head, "No sir. That would mean I would leave the section and I don't want that. The lads are too important. I have put them all back together, save yourself, sir. Part of me is in each of them. This can't go on much longer. I will stay with this section and see it through, if it is all the same to you sir."
"I think you know me well enough to know the answer to that one, John. I could not be happier."
"Ey up sir! You made it!"
I looked up and saw Fletcher, Hay and the rest of my walking wounded limping down the quay.
Bill Hay grinned, "I knew you would make it." Then he frowned, "Gordy and Davis, sir?"
"They are aliv
e. They have both got wounds. They will survive. All thanks to Corporal Hewitt here."
Fletcher put his arm around Hewitt. "I reckon I owe you a pint my Geordie friend!"
"That is Middlesbrough you Scouse ignoramus! I am not a Geordie! We live on the Tees and not the Tyne."
"Same thing!"
Hewitt shook his head and I smiled. We would win the war. Men like this told me that they would. They did not give in and no matter what the problem they dealt with it. I was proud to be their leader. Churchill had once said the 'beginning of the end' now I could see the end. We would push the enemy back to Germany and then we could go home. I now had a future. I had Susan!
The End
Glossary
Abwehr- German Intelligence
ATS- Auxiliary Territorial Service- Women's Branch of the British Army during WW2
Bisht- Arab cloak
Butchers- Look (Cockney slang Butcher's Hook- Look)
Butties- sandwiches (slang)
Chah- tea (slang)
Comforter- the lining for the helmet; a sort of woollen hat
Corned dog- Corned Beef (slang)
Ercs- aircraftsman (slang- from Cockney)
Fruit salad- medal ribbons (slang)
Gash- spare (slang)
Gauloise- French cigarette
Gib- Gibraltar (slang)
Glasshouse- Military prison
Goon- Guard in a POW camp (slang)- comes from a 19thirtys Popeye cartoon
Jankers- field punishment
Jimmy the One- First Lieutenant on a warship
Killick- leading hand (Navy) (slang)
LRDG- Long Range Desert group (Commandos operating from the desert behind enemy lines.)
Marge- Margarine (butter substitute- slang)
MGB- Motor Gun Boat
Mickey- 'taking the mickey', making fun of (slang)
Micks- Irishmen (slang)
MTB- Motor Torpedo Boat
ML- Motor Launch
Narked- annoyed (slang)
Neaters- undiluted naval rum (slang)