Defiance at Dizhinski - a new CM:BB story.

[Doctor Sinister]

I have finally plucked up the courage to face my destiny - and accept the challenge I was issued some months ago by the great Jedi Master himself - ER Chaser.

I will be writing this one up as an unfolding story, like my previous CM:AK battle with BigMik (http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14974). I aim to make it as enjoyable and realistic (?) as possible. No doubt the game will spring some surprises along the way.

To start us off, here are the parameters:

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle1.gif

The map is a custom-built one made by Roach (who pops his head in here every now and then) - and was put together especially for this battle. There is however no bias towards either side - and ER Chaser has even had a preview of the map so that I don't get an advantage from being familiar with the terrain!

And here it is:

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle2.JPG

We will be posting the results on the W.A.R.S. Ladder.

I will be back in a mo' to post the first piece of the story!

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

A Jedi Master .. hoho ... I thought I was at best some Skywalker at the beginning :D ... but, yet, to take on the great Evil Leader, well, I guess, I must rise in rank to deserve the honor :)

But first of all, Dr. S ---- you bleached crucial important top secret information to your enemy --- the battlefield intelligence at your hand! Nevertheless the fact as your enemy feeling grateful, I still warn you of the possible prosecution ... err.. wait, do you have something like Senate in your island? (like in this country, even the so-called President would have to face those damn "lawyers" in house... weird, as it is ...)

[Doctor Sinister]

DEFIANCE AT DIZHINSKI



OKH DIRECTIVE 2,517, 27th June, 1941



From: Commanding Officer, Army Group South



To: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 516th Infantry Regiment, 295th Infantry Division, IV Corps, Seventeenth Army



You are hereby directed to head 10 miles due East to capture or destroy the town of Dizhinski. Enemy resistance is expected to be light. Once established in and around the town, you will link up with other elements of the Division and await further orders.

Signed,



Field Marshall Von Runstedt



* * *

Major Schmidt had read the Orders time and time again, but he still could not stop his eyes straying back to the crumpled piece of paper in his hand.

“I can’t believe we’re in Russia” he said, for the thousandth time. “We had enough problems already without this as well…”

Schmidt winced as the armoured car in which he was sat bounced over large potholes in the dirt road.

“This is ridiculous, we’re expected to drive 10 miles through enemy territory over roads like this and with minimal Orders. “Enemy resistance is expected to be light” – what’s that supposed to mean? It would be nice if they could tell me what we’re going to be up against.”

The driver said nothing, but did allow himself a small smile. He had heard this sort of talk from the Major time and time again in the week since Operation Barbarossa had been launched. Schmidt was a capable Officer, but not one to hold back against talking of political matters, no matter how many Party agents were foisted upon him and his command.

“I mean, it’s not as if we’re talking about a small country – a unit like ours could easily get lost in this place and not be stumbled upon for decades.”

Large pine trees on either side of the primitive road slowly gave way to small clearings and then, disappeared almost entirely as the road emerged into bright daylight. Schmidt was pleased to see his troops spread out in defensive formations along the side of the road, awaiting his arrival.

“Stop the car here, I’ll continue on foot”.

Schmidt clambered down from the vehicle and glanced back behind him to watch as the rest of the armoured convoy ground to a halt. Sighing to himself, he lifted his binoculars and faced forward once more. The town of Dizhinski was about a mile ahead of him, resplendent and shimmering in the sunlight. As Schmidt focussed the lenses, he could see movement amongst the buildings.

“Looks benign enough” he muttered to himself. “Damn Peasants as usual”.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle3.JPG


The sound of boots behind him prevented him from any further exposition. It was time to issue orders to his Company Commanders. Schmidt allowed himself one final moan under his breath as he turned to face them.

“I can’t believe we’re in Russia”

* * *

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

jeee... Dr. .. are you in fact a Doc in literature? You are way too professional. (well, at least better than Tom Clancy :D )...

---------------
Again, be warned, my friend: stop right here, do not then let out your orders to your Co. Cmdrs as well! :devil:

[ER_Chaser]

So it begins!

BTW, as a Jedi Knight, I am pleased to show you, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome:
Me and my horse!

[Doctor Sinister]

Hauptmann Lonn marched stiffly along with the rest of his command staff as they inspected the assembly area. The sun shone brightly in the sky as mid-day approached and Lonn could not help but admire the tranquil scenery around him. The distant pine trees swayed gently in the breeze and birds twittered about their business.

Only the stark, functional forms of the waiting armoured vehicles along the road betrayed that this would be anything but a tranquil day.

As Lonn and his staff passed the gently purring engines of the Tanks waiting to move off, he watched with satisfaction as he saw his men preparing for the advance. Infantrymen cycled their weapons to ensure no chance of jamming, Tank crews revved their engines, listening for the slightest problem and junior Officers pored over plans and maps.

Lonn had been in the Army since he was a boy. Determined to make up for the humiliation heaped upon Germany after the Great War, he regarded himself as a professional, in every respect.

"Hey Sir! At this rate we'll be in Moscow before the winter!" The voice piped up from his left hand side - a Platoon of soldiers were raring to go.

"Not likely Fritz, since we're heading for the Volga!" quipped Lonn, a broad encouraging smile beaming across his face. The rest of the men in the Platoon laughed, slapping their comrade across the back and making a joke of his mistake.

"Why did you tell him that?" Leutnant Gruber was not pleased. Where Lonn was a career Officer, Gruber was anything but. A suspected Party stooge, it was rumoured he had been placed with the Battalion to report back on any "un-Nazi" activities to his masters. Lonn was also aware that Major Schmidt had deliberately placed Gruber with B Company so Lonn could keep an eye on him.

"Why shouldn't I? It's true isn't it? By the order of the Fuhrer, our logical end point is to establish a defensive line along the Volga."

"The troops don't need to know that - if he were to tell the enemy, it would be catastrophic. Sir."

"And who is he going to tell? The Russian Peasants shooting at him?"

Gruber said nothing, but trailed angrily in Lonn's wake as they headed forward.

* * *

"He really got you that time Fritzi" laughed Unteroffizier Sauer. As head of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Sauer had a unique camaraderie with his men.

"Ah, who cares - I don't know anything about Russia. How do I know where we're going? I couldn't even place Moscow on the map..." Fritz was a tall, gangly-looking individual, an unlikely choice for a soldier, but one who wore the Iron Cross, Second Class, for having eliminated an enemy machine gun post in France the previous year.

"Well we know sure enough now - the Volga. I'd bet you a month's wages we end up in Stalingrad for the winter."

"Be good to have a nice place to stay" muttered Fritz "I'm fed up with living in a tent."

Sauer had no time to respond as a shout went up. Tank engines roared into life as the advance was sounded - this was it. They were off...

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

So it begins!

BTW, as a Jedi Knight, I am pleased to show you, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome:
Me and my horse!
What do you feed it on?

Dr. S.

[KG_Norad]

ooo...can't wait! MY engines are reving! :devil:

[ER_Chaser]

What do you feed it on?

Dr. S.
Frankly, it is far less comfortable than my usual horse, you know, that X-wing type. But heck, it is in Russia, what do you want? :devil:

BTW, I brought my apprentice, Chuikov with me and he will show his talent the first time at this remote village of nowhere .... I can foresee his future as clouded .... in some city, in a cold winter ... as you mentioned in your earlier post, Doc.

But I will see through this, I have unlimited confidence in this young talent.

[Doctor Sinister]

To the North, deep within a forested area, Hauptmann Hunsche checked his watch nervously. The recently appointed Commanding Officer of A Company had of course been fully briefed on his mission concerning the town of Dizhinski, but he was not as confident in his own abilities as Major Schmidt seemed to be.

He stared as the watch slowly ticked around to 12:00.

"Let's go!" he shouted, raising his right arm and dropping it suddenly.

Simultaneously, Hunsche could hear his Platoon commanders ushering their men forward, the tramp of marching boots on the dusty road and, off in the distance, the thunderous roar of Panzer engines and support vehicles firing up en masse.

Hunsche began to run, caught up in the exuberance of his young troops as they headed towards their objective. It was a good feeling.

* * *

Not far behind Hunsche, Leutnant Gelband jogged alongside Feldwebel Junge with the rest of 3rd Platoon.

"How's the leg holding up?" enquired Junge.

"As well as can be expected" replied the Leutnant. He had sustained severe burns to his left leg in Poland at the commencement of the War. Today was his first taste of action since that time, having been undergoing tratment and rehabilitation for the best part of two years. "I'm not sure how long these damned boots are going to last though."

Junge nodded in agreement. Most of the men had been complaining since the invasion had begun that the poorly-maintained Russian roads were playing havoc with their marching boots. The hard-packed dirt roads, baked in the heat of summer were literally cutting the soles of the boots to pieces. "These roads are a nightmare. If anything's ever going to slow down our advance, it'll be the roads..." Junge had a fatalistic outlook on life that often tempered the willful enthusiasm of the lower ranks in the Platoon.

"Chin up old man - at the rate we're advancing, this thing will be over by Christmas".

But Junge just grimaced.

* * *

Leutnant Sumbrunn sat back and basked in the glorious sunlight as his Platoon of Panzer IVs drove forward at speed, bouncing across the Russian Steppe and spraying clouds of dust everywhere. He could not help but display the characteristic huge grin that his face was famous for as he scanned back and forth across the horizon.

As far as he could see, German Tanks were driving forward through the brush, pennants flying, racing toward their assigned objectives. Behind the Panzers and the support vehicles, hundreds of Infantrymen ran to their pre-aranged positions.

Sumbrunn's radio crackled. It was Unteroffizier Breuer in the number 3 Tank, a small distance ahead of his own vehicle.

"Reporting in as ordered Sir. We have crested the hill and we confirm no contact yet".

Sumbrunn nodded and glanced over to the Number 3 Tank - Breuer was already looking back at him. He grinned, giving a big thumbs-up signal.

Sumbrunn sighed satisfactorily and relaxed. He loved the feel of the wind in his hair...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

this kind of narrative is too sensational ... almost bring all the figure alive! ... which is bad..

VERY BAD! :devious: since I am already feeling guilty now... in my meditation, I foresee great pain ... that great pain, a young Jedi must suffer while destroying his enemies, who are, unfortunately also human beings. :devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

this kind of narrative is too sensational ... almost bring all the figure alive! ... which is bad..

VERY BAD! :devious: since I am already feeling guilty now... in my meditation, I foresee great pain ... that great pain, a young Jedi must suffer while destroying his enemies, who are, unfortunately also human beings. :devil:It's not too late to repent...and surrender the game to me. :D

Might make the story a bit dull though......

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

"Surrender"? What is that? Doc, you speak english? or Russian? :D

I just looked it up --- my online dictionary, there is no such word. :p

[Doctor Sinister]

"Surrender"? What is that? Doc, you speak english? or Russian? :D

I just looked it up --- my online dictionary, there is no such word. :p
Remember - the Japanese never had a word for surrender either... :D

Oh, what am I saying, I'm going to be crushed like a bug......

Dr. S.

[KG_Norad]

You have a knack for storytelling Dr. :D

[Doctor Sinister]

Leutnant Fuhrmann gingerly picked his way through the dense pine forest. Roots snagged his boots and sharp branches pulled at his uniform.

Fuhrmann wasn't sure why, but he had always hated forests ever since the invasion of France. Something about not knowing what was around the next tree perhaps. Whatever it was, he had "allowed" his Platoon to get ahead of him. He could hear them in front, crashing through the thick foliage like a herd of elephants. At this rate, the Soviets would hear them coming as far away as Kiev...

With a sudden squawk, a large bird, startled by the movement, flew right at him. Fuhrmann ducked and then realised what it was that had made ihm jump. He stood and looked around, but fortunately no-one had seen him. He clutched his pistol tightly as more birds flew up into the higher branches.

How much longer to the objective? Fuhrmann could not wait to get out of here...

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle4.JPG

* * *

Still at the jump-off point, Major Schmidt, Leutnant Gruber and the rest of the Battalion Command Staff observed the advance through their binoculars. Panzers roared across the plains ahead and either side of them.

Hauptmann Lonn had managed to persuade Schmidt to keep Gruber with him "out of my hair". Schmidt had reluctantly agreed to this logic, Lonn wouldn't need a Party lackey up front with him, getting in the way.

"Glorious..." muttered Gruber under his breath.

"For once I agree with you" replied Schmidt.

"Yes Sir! Our campaign against the Untermenschen continues apace - with mighty warriors such as ours, we prove our superiority to the rest of the world as each day passes".

Schmidt let out a sigh. He was hoping that Gruber might have laid off the National Socialist propaganda for once, but apparently he was wrong to imagine that this young Officer would ever see past the rhetoric.

"Whatever you say Gruber, whatever you say".

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Doc ... question: at 41, at the dawn of Barbarossa, how can a german officer sigh like in 44? Though you know that you are facing a Jedi (maybe two, if Chuikov counts!) they certainly don't! They should be full of proud and confidence to roll all over to Moscow! And then just to figure out .... :devil:

Actually, now, Chuikov, leading the way to defend the crucial bridge at the upper river, swang his light sabre a couple of times. He did not, however, want to hurt the mismatches ---- he intensionally put his strike points in front of, instead of right into, his forwarding enemies, in a last hope that these poor things would back off ...

[Doctor Sinister]

Unteroffizier Warner glanced back momentarily as he sped along in his PSW 222 armoured car to see if Antretter was still keeping up. Sure enough, there he was, in an identical vehicle, behind and to the right. Antretter was green, but capable enough, and he had clearly stuck rigidly to the orders Warner had given him to maintain formation. This was good, the boy had the makings of a good Officer.

Some way back behind the two armoured cars, infantrymen were advancing at a run towards the objective in this sector - two small bridges spanning a shallow river. A tiny settlement also nestled within the thick pine forest - here the soldiers were to support a general advance on Dizhinski itself. Being no more than a probe into the forest, Warner was expecting no trouble in securing the objective.

Warner ordered the car to slow as he reached the old buildings and prepared to receive further orders.

But those orders were not to come. The intense rattle of a heavy machine gun shattered Warner's thoughts. He jumped in his seat as Antetter's vehicle opened up with machine gun fire. He turned to look back at the young man, angry for him for firing at shadows...

"What the hell are you firing at Antretter! There are no Russkies around for miles!!"

Almost simultaneously however, return fire came from the other side of the settlement. Enemy troops were firing back at the German armoured cars.

"Damn it!" exclaimed Warner as he crouched low and hid behind the thin front armour plate of the vehicle. "This wasn't supposed to happen..."

Warner's vehicle edged forward, but a shattering explosion soon stopped any thoughts he might have had about taking on the enemy. His radio crackled. It was Antretter.

"An enemy Tank Sir! It's firing at us!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed!" replied Warner sarcastically, as huge clods of earth erupted from the ground with the arrival of another shell.

"What do we DO?"

"Try and flank it - go either side of the building ahead"

Antretter followed orders - attempting to distract the enemy Tank by directing his car to the right. Over the thundrous roar of the enemy gun, Warner could hear Antrettter's bullets spatter ineffectually over the thick armour plate of the T-34.

Warner's own vehicle headed left, where he was immediately confronted with the frightening vision before him.

"REVERSE!!" he yelled to the driver, who didn't need telling twice. For good measure, he activated the smoke dispensers - the T-34 was bearing down on him at an incredible speed, an unstoppable juggernaut of power... Behind, enemy infantry were headed up in support.

Warner paled as the turret of the Tank rotated slowly to face him...

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle5.JPG

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Major Schmidt was alarmed to hear the distant rattle of machine gun fire. He rounded on Gruber. "Get on the radio to A Company - find out what's going on..."

Gruber nodded soberly - there were occasions when he could be an efficient Officer, but only if the orders were not too complicated or troublesome Gruber was lazy, but he could at least operate a radio.

Just then, the distant rumble of shellfire could be heard echoing over the Steppe. Schmidt tried to peer through the dense forest, but could see nothing of value.

"Hauptmann Hunsche has nothing to report Sir, he says the firing is coming from his advanced armoured units".

Schmidt swiftly turned as he heard the sound of Oberfeldwebel Meier running up from the Command Point which been established in a nearby building.

"Sir, our forward Panzers are reporting multiple sound contacts approaching the town."

"Enemy vehicles?"

"Enemy armour Sir - in strength".

"This is not possible, we were assured of minimal resistance. What happened to our aerial reconnaissance?"

Meier shrugged, as perplexed as his CO.

* * *

Sumbrunn's radio crackled. It was Unteroffizier Ross, the commander of the number 4 Tank in the Platoon.

"Sir, I have enemy armour approaching at speed to the south-east. I am engaging now."

"Very good. Continue."

Ross's Panzer rocked on its tracks as the 75mm shell arced towards its target. Sumbrunn couldn't see if it hit or not, but it seemed unlikely if the enemy were advancing at speed.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle6.JPG

"All Tanks will maintain positions here until further orders. You will monitor for further movement, fire at will."

Dr. S.

[michammer]

Warner's own vehicle headed left, where he was immediately confronted with the frightening vision before him.

"REVERSE!!" he yelled to the driver, who dids not need telling twice. For good measure, he activated the smoke dispensers - the T-34 was bearing down on him at an incredible speed, an unstoppable juggernaut of power... Behind, enemy infantry were headed up in support.

Warner paled as the turret of the Tank rotated slowly to face him...

I bet the inside of that tank doesn't smell of roses!!!

Excellent report Doc. Keep it up.

[Doctor Sinister]

the inside of that tank doesn't smell of roses!!!
Yeah - ERC's getting our laundry bill once this is over.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

No, Chuikov will pay for the bill.... but not for laundry, I presume.... more likely. .. khmm... for coffins... :devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

No, Chuikov will pay for the bill.... but not for laundry, I presume.... more likely. .. khmm... for coffins... :devil:
Well, that's something at least.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Unteroffizier Warner died instantly as the 76.2mm Russian shell penetrated the relatively flimsy shell of his armoured car. His body and those of his crewmamtes were torn to shreds as the fuel tank and onboard amunition exploded in a gigantic fireball.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle7.JPG

Antretter watched in horror as he saw the T-34 drive forward and around the main building of the settlement, contemptuously smashing Warner's vehicle aside and turning to target his own car.

He gritted his teeth and continued to pour cannon fire on the enemy Infantry who had accompanied the Tank, but he did not stand a chance...

With a sudden blast, Antretter joined his commander in death, his torso cut in half as the front armour of the PSW 222 folded in half with the impact of the Tank shell. Only his driver managed to escape, crawling from the smoking wreckage, eardrums shattered from the explosion, one arm hanging loosely from its smashed socket...

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Sumbrunn's radio crackled once again, this time it was Breur on the channel.

"Enemy Infantry have entered the town, I am targetting the buildings."

"Very well, the rest of you, keep an eye out for more Tanks".

Sumbrunn felt cold sweat running down his back as he scanned the terrain ahead. With his Platoon of Panzers hidden behind the treeline, he was confident they could not be seen - they had a great opportunity to snipe at the enemy as they advanced.

"Enemy Tank ahead Sir! I am firing now!" It was Ross again. Good old keen-eyed Ross.

Sure enough, Sumbrunn could see the sleek, low, angular shape of a T-34 driving fast throught the scrub to the south.

"Fire!" he yelled, but his gunner was already on the job - as were two others in the Platoon. Shells flew from their barrels, and as Sumbrunn peered through his binoculars, he saw sparks fly from the Russian vehicle.

"Penetration! We hit him! Fire again!" As he watched however, the T-34 continued driving on its way. "Clearly not a fatal wound then..." he murmured to himself.

* * *

Meanwhile, things were going very wrong for Leutnant Frantz.

In command of a Platoon of Panzer IIIs, he had managed to enter the outskirts of the town before it became apparent that they were not alone. Not only could he hear the rumble of enemy Tanks nearby, but enemy Infantrymen had taken up positions in some of the buildings and were taking potshots at him and the Infantry trailing in his wake.

He was alaso acutely aware that his Panzers were in a nice neat little line, ripe for being shot at...

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle8.JPG

He grabbed the radio and began to issue orders. "Cover the Infantry! Fire at those buildings! And call up some support!"

Point blank combat was not something he relished...

Dr. S.

[Viking67]

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle7.JPG

Warner died instantly. Antretter was arranged in superior court, county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[ER_Chaser]

As the 76.2mm main gun opened fire, Chuikov tightened his hand on his light sabre. I felt his pain. The young Jedi's heart is being tested.

That is the path every Jedi must went through ... Chuikov is no exception, and I have confidence in this young talent, although his future in that cold city winter still clouds my mind, the Force will pierce the fog sooner or later ...

[Doctor Sinister]

Major Schmidt's face was red with rage as Gruber reported the loss of the two armoured cars to the North.

"Contact the Divisional Headquarters and get me some air support - I want someone's head for this. How am I expected to conduct a battle with minimal reconnaissance?"

Gruber stiffened but said nothing. Schmidt wasn't sure if he was in agreement or if the Party indoctrination blinded him to the inadequacies of those Generals closest to his beloved Fuhrer.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

The greatest evil exists in the scenes of tanks firing large guns against helpless infantry. This is atrocity. It just happened in front of the young heart of Chuikov, he endured the pain. I felt...

[Doctor Sinister]

Hauptmann Hunsche knew things were going horribly wrong - he could see the huge pall of black smoke pouring from what must have been one of Warner's supporting armoured cars up ahead.

"Company - forward!" he commanded, leading from the front as he and his men charged across a shallow ford.

At that horrifying moment, just when his men were in the most vulnerable position imaginable...a T-34 appeared from up ahead and levelled its main gun towards them.

"Get across the river!! Move it!!" he screamed, desperate for his men to get out of the line of fire.

But it was too late, anti-personnel rounds began landing amongst his men...

Crouching low behind a fallen log, Hunsche buried his face in his hands in horror as he heard the screams...

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

As Frantz issued his orders to the rest of his Platoon, he also ordered his own Gunner to fire dead ahead. Enemy Infantrymen could clearly be seen in the windows of a large bulding, possibly an old Hotel.

The sound of massed cannon fire from the Tanks was deafening, but Frantz smiled in satisfaction as he saw the shells rip huge holes in the fabric of the two-storey structure, masonry and glass flew in every direction and he saw the Infantrymen duck for cover.

It wasn't long before the building was on fire.

"One less hiding place for the Russkies" Frantz chuckled.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle9.JPG

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Hauptmann Hunsche knew things were going horribly wrong - he could see the huge pall of black smoke pouring from what must have been one of Warner's supporting armoured cars up ahead.

"Company - forward!" he commanded, leading from the front as he and his men charged across a shallow ford.

At that horrifying moment, just when his men were in the most vulnerable position imaginable...a T-34 appeared from up ahead and levelled its main gun towards them.

"Get across the river!! Move it!!" he screamed, desperate for his men to get out of the line of fire.

But it was too late, anti-personnel rounds began landing amongst his men...

Crouching low behind a fallen log, Hunsche buried his face in his hands in horror as he heard the screams...

Dr. S.
To be more precise, this picture is exactly what Dr S was talking about ...

[Doctor Sinister]

To be more precise, this picture is exactly what Dr S was talking about ...
Oh the horror....the horror....

Dr. S.

[SoccerDJ]

wow...Dr. Im enjoying these more than I should :cheeky: I cant wait for more......:cool:

[Doctor Sinister]

wow...Dr. Im enjoying these more than I should :cheeky: I cant wait for more......:cool:
Trying to do at least one update every day - might be a bit tricky sometimes when it's an "Orders" move and not a "Play" move, but I'll try and keep up the pace. If I miss a day though - don't panic, I won't be giving up the reporting, even if I am in full retreat!

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

.. If I miss a day though - don't panic, ...Dr. S.
LoL ... do not you goons consider me KIA and try to get some pesty little ones to climb up the chair in the Island! :devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

Having managed to cross the ford, Leutnant Gelband and Feldwebel Junge pressed themselves as close to the ground as they could as the Russian Tank continued to fire at the men still stranded in the river. Casualties were mounting, the enemy Tank had arrived at just the wrong time to stop their advance.

"Wasn't like this in Poland" grimaced Gelband. Junge nodded in agreement.

"We have to get out of here".

All bravado was temporaily halted as another anti-personnel round was fired off. There was nothing they could do for the time being...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

And Chuikov's saber starts to become lighter in color. He should be able to feel it now, I am pretty.

This is what a Jedi would experience typically when his experience and skill grows. A better understanding of the Force will lead to a change in the spectrum. Now that young Chuikov's laser beam is still red, it will turn pink ---- perhaps after this battle .... But in my foresight, in that cold winter and cold ruined city not too far away, he would swing something dark blue.

[Doctor Sinister]

And Chuikov's saber starts to become lighter in color. He should be able to feel it now, I am pretty.

This is what a Jedi would experience typically when his experience and skill grows. A better understanding of the Force will lead to a change in the spectrum. Now that young Chuikov's laser beam is still red, it will turn pink ---- perhaps after this battle .... But in my foresight, in that cold winter and cold ruined city not too far away, he would swing something dark blue.
Wouldn't it please the Party if it were to stay red?

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Wouldn't it please the Party if it were to stay red?

Dr. S.
What a wisdom! The Party, the Force, unfortunately you could only choose one. So that wasn't necessarily good news for my young apprentice.
The other pupil, Nikita Kruschev, chose stay red indeed. I could not foresee his future, it was beyond my mana pool.

[Doctor Sinister]

Note to Subscribers - nothing happening today, it's an "Orders" phase and all my men have taken the day off. Our story will resume tomorrow.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Frantz's Panzers continued to fire at enemy Infantry as and when the appeared in the centre of Dizhinski. Up ahead, what looked like a Mortar Team lay pinned to the ground as shrapnel exploded around their heads.

Out of the corner of his eye, Frantz could see German Infantrymen advancing under the cover of his murderous fire. And then...

"Enemy Tank ahead Sir! Looks like one of their KV models!!" Frantz's Driver was a professional soldier, but Frantz could detect the fear in his voice, and he gritted his teeth in sympathy. He'd heard reports of the KVs, they were tough, too tough for his shells to penetrate.

"It's advancing towards us Sir!"

"Back us off, slowly" ordered the Leutnant. Maybe it was just possible...

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle10.JPG

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

And that KV backed off as well??! :D ... That chick was apparently a battle virgin :devil:

BTW, doc, did you forget to send your turn after writing this ? ;)

[Doctor Sinister]

And that KV backed off as well??! :D ... That chick was apparently a battle virgin :devil:

BTW, doc, did you forget to send your turn after writing this ? ;)
Oh bugger! I forgot! Sorry...on the way...

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

At the Command Point, Major Schmidt listened impassively as he received reports on the battle ahead from Oberfeldwebel Meier and Leutnant Gruber.

“Infantry are advancing into the town centre Herr Major and Leutnant Frantz's Panzer IIIs are supporting them. It will be a glorious victory…” Gruber fell silent as Schmidt glared at him.

“Leutnant, you’re full of crap. The sad thing is that you don’t know it. It’s people like you spouting rubbish like this that’s got us into this situation in the first place. The one thing we cannot afford to do is underestimate our enemy. These aren’t Poles we’re fighting, it’s the largest nation on the Earth. And when I ask you for a report, I expect to receive the facts, not a load of Party propaganda!”

Schmidt bit his tongue to stop himself from saying any more. Gruber may be a lowly Leutnant, but if he really did have Party connections he could end the Major’s career there and then, and possibly his life too.

Gruber reddened at the outburst, either through embarrassment or anger, Schmidt did not know, or care, but he was regretting the decision to allow Hauptmann Lonn to leave the man behind. Perhaps he could do something about that… He turned to Meier.

“Report”.

Leutnant Sumbrunn reports that his Panzer IVs have observed enemy Armour to the south east. They are attempting to pin it down from long range.”

“Tell them to forget it and to direct their fire towards the town. We have orders to capture or destroy Dizhinski and right now, the troops need supporting fire. We can always mop up any enemy armour once we’ve taken this place or when our air support arrives.”

“Yes Sir!” Meier saluted crisply and ran back to issue the orders over the radio.

“What shall I do Sir?” asked Gruber.

“Grab someone to carry a radio and head up to the town to link up with Hauptmann Lonn. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you again and you can be my eyes up there.” Schmidt did not add “if you survive”.

“Yes Sir” said Gruber, and he turned stiffly to find some poor unfortunate to escort him into the town.

“Maybe I can start to think straight now” mumbled Schmidt.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Having received his orders, Leutnant Sumbrunn slammed the hatch down behind him as he ducked inside the turret of his Panzer.

“Turn turret 90 degrees left and fire on the town in support of our troops” he ordered. Through the vision slits in the cupola, he could see his other Tanks doing the same, as ordered.

Suddenly his Gunner shouted out… “There's an enemy Tank dead ahead, in the town centre Sir!! It’s targeting us!”

“FIRE!” screamed Sumbrunn, and he instinctively ducked as he felt the recoil from the main gun rock the vehicle. He crossed his fingers as he listened for an explosion, hopeful that he could soon report a kill.

Moments later, a returning Russian tank shell slammed into the upper hull of the Panzer, ripping a large hole in the armour and exploding. Shards of metal sprayed inside the lower compartments, killing the rest of the crew instantly. Seconds later, fire took hold.

Spluttering from the thick acrid fumes and blinded by the smoke, Sumbrunn summoned all his strength and lifted the hatch he had closed only moments before to clamber out onto the surface of the burning vehicle where he gulped in the sweet fresh air.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle11.JPG
Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Still deep within the pine forest to the South, Leutnant Fuhrmann and his Platoon stealthily advanced towards a clearing where a dirt track could be seen heading North to the town of Dizkinski.

“OK, this is our objective. Everybody down, let’s see if there’s anything waiting for us."

The men settled onto the dried ground, listening and watching intently.

Fuhrmann checked his watch. It was now 5 minutes past mid-day. 5 minutes since the Battalion had commenced its assault and already he could hear the sounds of heavy fighting in the town off to his left. It was unlikely that he or his men would be so lucky as to get away without encountering something…

Sure enough… “I can hear something Sir. Sounds like an engine”. One of his men pointed ahead with his rifle. Fuhrmann peered through his binoculars, trying to see past the trees. It was difficult in the gloom of the forest.

“Is it a Tank?”

“I can hear it too Sir”.

“Voices Sir! Men approaching!”

Fuhrmann could hear them too. Thickly-accented Russian voices. A patrol was headed their way.

Fuhrmann crept towards his men and slowly whispered.

“Wait until I give the order, then I want First and Second Squads to assault the enemy, whilst Third Squad lays down suppressive fire. Hopefully we can catch them by surprise.” The Squad Leaders nodded their understanding, and Fuhrmann observed as the men discarded unnecessary kit and prepared their weapons. When the men were ready, he looked ahead once more.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle12.JPG

It was difficult to see too far in the darkness beneath the trees, but soon, movement became apparent. But Fuhrmann couldn’t be sure what it was. Was that a uniform? A rifle butt? Or was it….

“NOW!” he yelled, and immediately, all hell broke loose. As First and Second Squads charged the enemy, they threw almost their entire complement of stick grenades at the Russian soldiers. Simultaneously a fusillade of bullets and grenades were directed towards the enemy as Third Squad attempted to pin them down.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

and my brave platoon leader, Comrade Yuri Nichikovski almost instantly fell down to the Nazi fire. Farewell, dear Comrade, motherland will remember you forever, communism must be realized!

The tactical lesson learned is that if you are not a Jedi, better avoid enemy fire.

[Doctor Sinister]

You mean I actually killed someone? Well, that's some consolation for my three dead armoured vehicles so far. :laugh:

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Barely .. to the best :D ... Your 3 dead armored things did not kill anything.. and this kill was scored by the infantry to the far far right wing of yours ... it is not even likely to be correlated with those armors in any sense :p

[Doctor Sinister]

Sumbrun collapsed onto the grass and thanked God he was still alive. Without daring to look back at his smouldering Panzer, he crawled away as fast as he could, and only when he was a safe distance away did he dare lift his blackened and scorched face up to the sun and then for a look around.

He could see the remainder of his Panzer platoon manoeuvring for position, trying to avoid the deadly fire of the T-34 in the town that had knocked Sumbrunn out of the battle. As he watched the Tanks fire at targets he could not see, he tried to shout out to thm, but his burned vocal chords could only produce a series of small croaks.

Dazed and confused, Sumbrunn stood on wobbly, numbed legs in time to see a shower of sparks erupt in the town centre. It looked like one of the enemy tanks had taken a hit. Unable to think straight, Sumbrun found himself walking back to the treeline and his Panzers. Maybe he could help in some way...

* * *

A shower of hot earth covered Fuhrmann as machine gun fire ripped up the ground ahead of him.

"There are too many of them Sir!" yelled one soldier as he reloaded his Rifle.

Fuhrmann had to admit that he was right - they were outnumbered and outgunned.

And then an enemy tank came clanking up the road, its turret turning to face them.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Leutnant Gelband hugged the ground with the rest of his men as machine gun fire from the T-34 raced over his head. Only occasionally were his men able to return fire, the Tank had them totally pinned down.

Feldwebel Junge crawled up alongside the Leutnant. "Sir, we have to get out of here - the Russians have brought more Infantry forward and we're about to be outflanked if we don't move".

Gelband nodded grimly. Junge was right.

"Pass the word, on my count of three, I want half the men to provide covering fire and the rest of us will make a run for the buildings."

"Withdrawal would be a better option Sir."

"I'm not withdrawing. We press forward or not at all."

Junge stared for a few seconds at Gelband, astonished at his tone. "Sir, it's a long way to the settlement and we don't know exactly what's out there."

"Your point?"

"We could be cut down as soon as we clear the road. And with your leg..."

"My leg isn't an issue Feldwebel. Are you saying I'm not up to leading this assault?"

"No Sir, but with the time you've spent recuperating - you know that you don't need to prove anything..."

Gelband rounded on the Feldwebel, anger in his eyes. "I am not trying to prove anything - you'll follow my orders or I'll find someone else who will."

Junge said nothing, but nodded his assent.

Enemy bullets streaked the heads of the German soldiers as Junge passed on the order.

Gelband got himself into a crouching position.

"One."

The troopers checked their weapons and filled them with fresh rounds or loaded fresh magazines where appropriate .

"Two."

Weapons were cocked, as the men made ready to leap off from their hiding position.

"THREE!!" Gelband and Junge stood and raised their weapons, followed by a Squad of emn behind them.

"CHAAAAARRR.......!" Gelband's cry was cut off before he could finish the word. As he set off at a run, his leg, the same leg that had been burned in Poland, gave way beneath him and he began to fall to the ground. Junge instinctively stopped to assist the Officer, and the sudden unexpected obstacle caused the men behind to stop abruptly. The confusion lasted long enough for a Russian machine gunner to take aim and fire a sustained burst at Gelband's position, and within seconds, Gelband, Junge and two other men were cut down, all dead before they hit the ground.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle13.JPG

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

An intense battle raged all around Hauptmann Lonn as he propped himself behind a small building in the town centre.

Having successfully managed to lead his men all the way here, he had set up something of a makeshift forward Command Point from where he was able to direct the battle. Already, Squads of men were working their way through buildings and engaging Russian soldiers who were doing exactly the same thing on the other side of the main street running through the town.

Tracer bullets whizzed overhead constantly this way and that. The rattle of rifle and machine gun fire was overwhelming at times, however, despite the fact that Lonn was receiving reports that truckloads of enemy troops were being delivered to the outskirts of the town, he also knew that Leutnant Frantz's Panzer IIIs were able to provide supporting fire to his men as they covered the "friendly" approach to the town. In addition, he knew that other Panzer Platoons were situated far back enough to cover the entire town, from either side, and as he pictured their positions mentally, he could hear the incoming shells hitting enemy positions.

Lonn's Feldwebel, a sturdy veteran by the name of Sittko dashed over to him from a nearby copse of trees.

"It looks like our heavy machine guns got into position" remarked Sittko. "In addition to supporting fire from the outlying Panzers, I can see tracer fire coming in from the tree lines either side".

"Excellent, maybe we can keep their heads down long enough to mount an advance. Spread the word, take every opportunity to push forward."

Sittko nodded and ran off to issue the orders to the Platoon Leaders.

Lonn sat back and added the placement of those machine guns to his mental image, and smiled.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Frankly speaking, vividly as the story goes, even I am lost as for where exactly you are talking about, doc :D ...

But this is good, this is supposed to be classified information about officer casualties on field. :)

[Doctor Sinister]

Frankly speaking, vividly as the story goes, even I am lost as for where exactly you are talking about, doc :D ...
I can assure you that it's an accurate reflection of the battle, based on what I'm seeing anyway...

But this is good, this is supposed to be classified information about officer casualties on field. :)
This is always the difficult bit - trying to tell a good, unfolding story, without giving the whole game away. :D

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

The smell of burning brush alerted Lonn to the danger before anything else.

"Sir! We have a Tank firing at us from the northern settlement!"

Lonn whirled around at the sound of Sittko's urgent call. Whatever A Company were up to, they had not secured the settlement to the north as they were supposed to have done, and now, Lonn's armour support in the town was exposed on the northern flank. Incoming shellfire could be seen and heard right over his head.

"Return fire and notify Major Schmidt immediately!"

* * *

Leutnant Gruber was not a happy man as he dodged and weaved alongside the road leading to Dizhinski. Heavy machine gun fire mad him duck instinctively, even when it was from his own side. He was not cut out for combat, and deep-down he knew it, but it still wouldn't stop him from boasting about his bold advance into the town, assuming he made it of course.

Behind him, Obergefreiter Kluge trudged miserably with the radio equipment. Like everyone else in the Battalion, Kluge hated Gruber with a passion and dearly wanted nothing more than to smash his head in with the radio.

The two men halted temporarily and knelt beside a tree. They could hear that the battle ahead was intensifying.

And then...

With a massive roar, one of the two storey buildings on the approach to the town centre erupted in a ball of flames and smoke. Enemy Tank shells had finally taken their toll and ripped the building apart.

Gruber and Kluge looked at each other. Each one thinking the same thing - that they were headed into that maelstrom of death and destruction.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle14.JPG

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Leutnant Frantz's radio crackled and he picked it up.

"Enemy Tank to the North Sir! I am engaging!"

It was Froebbel - commanding another Panzer III and covering the northern approach.

"Why hasn't the northern settlement been secured?" demanded Frantz, but there was no reply. He could hear the thuding sound of Froebbel's Panzer firing even from within his own Tank.

And he could also hear the sound of Froebbel's Panzer explode as a returning shell smashed into the turret.

Frantz began to sweat in fear.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle15.JPG

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Heavy machine gun fire mad him duck instinctively, even when it was from his own side.
Dr. S.

LOL ... I love this part most :D ... what a lovely girly man :D I surely will tell Chuikov to spare his life ---- itshould not be too hard for a jedi apprentice to pay a bit attention while fighting. But be warned, the peasant machine gunners are far less sure :devil:

I admire your boundless imagination, Doc :)

[Doctor Sinister]

I admire your boundless imagination, Doc :)
Well, my fighting skills clearly aren't anything to admire, you are beating the proverbial out of me.

:cry:

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Well, my fighting skills clearly aren't anything to admire, you are beating the proverbial out of me.

:cry:

Dr. S.
nah ... how many games did you play in total up to this point? And how many did I play? Besides, at this period of war, the Soviet commands both firepower and armor ... it is not your fault, my lord :)

[Doctor Sinister]

nah ... how many games did you play in total up to this point?
Erm, 4 CM:AK and this is my third CM:BB, against real people I mean.

Besides, at this period of war, the Soviet commands both firepower and armor ... it is not your fault, my lord :)
But this is the invasion of Russia! My glorious Heer troops should be storming forward, crushing all opposition!!

The Fuhrer will NOT be pleased with my performance. I wouldn't be surprised if he took me right off of his Christmas card list...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

The Fuhrer will NOT be pleased with my performance. I wouldn't be surprised if he took me right off of his Christmas card list...

Dr. S.
hehe.. won't that be a simple problem for you, my lord? if the stupid fuhrer or whatsoever it is, stupid enough to forget to send you Xmas card, it is my duty to put him into that snake dungeon, isn't it? :)

[Doctor Sinister]

Hauptmann Hunsche pulled himself up onto the banks of the river and glanced back. Having seen the futile deaths of Gelband and Junge, accompanied by the arrival of what appeared to be several squads of Russian soldiers, Hunsche had decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and immediately headed back across the ford.

As he scrambled up the bank towards the relative safety of the trees, all he could hear were the shouts and screams of the dying as the inexorable advance of the Russian troops continued apace.

He had failed in his duty. The northern sector was all but broken.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

hmm... so how are you going to punish this poor boy for his cowardly failure? Mercy? My lord?

[Doctor Sinister]

hmm... so how are you going to punish this poor boy for his cowardly failure? Mercy? My lord?
He's not a boy, he's a trained professional and he knew the consequences of failure.

And before you ask, no, my incompetence at command is nothing to do with this - the failure is his. :laugh:

He will be...dealt with.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

well, you can simply hand him to me, in that case, my lord :devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

well, you can simply hand him to me, in that case, my lord :devil:
OK - send some men over, unarmed and we'll set up a meeting so I can hand him over. I promise not to shoot at you.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

unarmed?? hmm.. but how can I be sure that you won't hide some US marines from Fallujah? :D

[Doctor Sinister]

unarmed?? hmm.. but how can I be sure that you won't hide some US marines from Fallujah? :D
Erm...because this is 1941?

:laugh:

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

duh! I forgot that :D

errr.... doc, you forgot to send the file again? :p

[Doctor Sinister]

Unteroffizier Kunick realised he was in trouble the moment he heard rifle bullets pinging off the top of his armour.

His Panzer III had advanced into the centre of Dizhinski along with the rest of the Platoon. Unfortunately for Kunick, his supporting Panzer, commanded by Froebbel had been knocked out just a couple of minutes before, and Kunick suddenly found himself alone within the town.

Alone...except for the enemy Infantrymen who started appearing in the windows of the buildings all around him.

"Get us out of here!" he ordered.

"Sir, I can see our own men moving up, if we abandon them now, they will have to fight on alone..."

"And if we stay here, someone's going to knock our tracks off or get a lucky shot - I'm not staying here like a sitting duck, get us OUT of here!!"

Machine gun fire played sporadically over the hull. Kunick knew that he was safe inside the buttoned Panzer, but he still felt nervous as he heard the growl of the engine and felt the Tank turn. Peeking through the vision slits in the cupola, he could see German soldiers milling around his Tank. To hell with them, he decided, he was still getting out of the town...

KABOOM!!

With a huge explosion, shards of rubble and timber were spread all over his vehicle as another two-storey building went up in smoke. Barely did Kunik have time to react to this, before an enemy Tank shell ripped into the lower hull, blowing a huge hole in the front armour and killing his driver immediately, spraying his blood within the fighting compartments.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle16.JPG

"My God! Quickly, reverse - get us back. BACK!!"

As quickly as they could, the other crewmembers lifted what remained of the driver out from his seat. Kunick paid no attention as to who was driving as he looked outside once again. He felt the vehicle reverse back onto the central road running through Dizhinski.

Right into the path of a lurking T-34 that had its gun already trained along the road.

As the turret was blasted from his Tank, Kunick never even had time to realise that he was dead...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

you moved me to tears, Doc .. :cry:

Well, but fortunately that Kunick something was dead. Otherwise, I would have strongly suggested you to cut him into 3 pieces for what he did... he drove that tank all around that small house, without firing a single shot at his enemy (namely, me :devil: ) .. and constantly swayed his hips at my tanks ... like a show gal! ... :devious: ...

he was too weird to be on a battlefield..

[Doctor Sinister]

you moved me to tears, Doc .. :cry:

Well, but fortunately that Kunick something was dead. Otherwise, I would have strongly suggested you to cut him into 3 pieces for what he did... he drove that tank all around that small house, without firing a single shot at his enemy (namely, me :devil: ) .. and constantly swayed his hips at my tanks ... like a show gal! ... :devious: ...

he was too weird to be on a battlefield..
Yeah, that was a pretty stupid move he made. Damn him!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Major Schmidt pondered the map of Dizhinski and the surrounding environs with a thoughtful air about him. His Staff buzzed around him in the shack with an efficiency that belied the desperate situation the Battalion had found itself in.

"Do we have any news from Hauptmann Schreiber?" he called out, to no-one in particular. Oberfeldwebel Meier came over.

"Herr Major, the Hauptmann reports that he has elements of his heavy weapons Company in position. They have mortars and heavy machine guns sited in two separate locations, one fixing the town and another engaging enemy infantry to the south. They reported movement a few minutes ago from the probe led by Leutnant Fuhrmann, but we understand that nothing has been seen or heard from them since."

"We should have sent a more powerful probe to the South. Instead of encircling the town we've got ourselves trapped in the middle. Damn it all to hell, I will make heads roll for this".

Meier nodded sagely, but said nothing.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Doc, sorry that my email server is down again (it is very often broken during weekends... sigh, those guys just do not want to work no matter how much you pay them.. )... so probably I would have to wait till Monday.. or if you would prefer , you may attach the turn here so that I can download it. An alternative email is my yahoo account:

xlxl15213 _AT_ yahoo _DOT_ com

Sorry about the delay.

[ER_Chaser]

Somehow, the mail server was up for a minute or so .... just neough for me to get yoru turn, doc. But I could nto send anything out immediately after that... so I have to attach my turn here.

[ER_Chaser]

the turn ... sorry..

[Doctor Sinister]

Cheers ERC - I'll check it out later today.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

On the way to your normal addy. Let me know if you don't get it.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

It has been completely down today, as I left one "outgoing mail" there and it was never sent. Well, usually tomorrow it will be fine. So we can wait till tomorrow to save some labor :D

[Doctor Sinister]

It has been completely down today, as I left one "outgoing mail" there and it was never sent. Well, usually tomorrow it will be fine. So we can wait till tomorrow to save some labor :D
Okey-dokey. :thumup:

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

"I've had enough of this". Major Schmidt was studying his Orders.

"Sir?" Meier suddenly looked nervous.

"Our, my, Orders state that we are to capture or destroy this town. It's obvious to me now that we can't capture it without destroying it. I think brute force is called for. It's unsophisticated, but until we can get some air cover, it's the only option I've got left. I'm not failing this mission."

Meier nodded eagerly.

"Commence a general bombardment on the town using all available Panzers and Assault Guns. Identify any buildings containing enemy troops and fire at will until further notice. Any escaping Infantry will be cut down by our machine guns - it looks like Schreiber's got a good position. Do it immediately".

Meier saluted and ran off to issue the orders.

It wasn't long before the thunderous cacophony of heavy guns filled the air, and Schmidt stared grimly through his binoculars as he saw the first building in the town collapse.

It was a desperate move.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Chuikov's eyes are now filled with anger and veagence while seeing the houses set on fire and collapsed under the evil german guns. It was his hometown, now being destroyed by the enemies! (since when, this little village became his hometown? I do notk now, but anyway, it is russia, so he pretty much, I guess, can claim at will what it is... just like year later, that other city in the cold winter... )
(and before that, the two houses occupied by the germans brought down by the much more powerful 76.2mm T34 main guns ... they do not count... that was understandable collateral damage --- the cost to freedom. You know, Chuikov, the young jedi, understood very well, ahead of his time, that Freedom is not free. :p )
So, now the flame of hatred burns in the heart of the young talented jedi, and so he suffers. And so I felt... I foresaw his light sabre with a new color soon ... through the flames of his eyes!

[Doctor Sinister]

Hauptmann Lonn hugged the ground as closely as he could as explosions rippled overhead. Buildings were collapsing all around him and his men.

Choking with the dust, he raised his head to shout orders at the advancing Infantry.

"Use the cover of the Panzers to assault the buildings!! Take no prisoners!"

Another building behind him fell in on itself - either through enemy or friendly fire, he could not tell, he just clung onto the earth for dear life as it shook and rumbled with the explosive impact of shells from both directions.

* * *

Gruber couldn't see Lonn but he knew he was close up ahead. During his scramble from the CP to the centre of the town, he had stumbled across the body of a young Unterfeldwebel whom he knew to be on Lonn's staff. That meant Lonn had to be somewhere nearby. Gruber had no idea of the man's name, he hadn't bothered to learn the names of many of the Officers or NCO's attached to the Battalion on the basis that he hadn't planned on staying with the unit for long. In any event, in Gruber's eyes it was kind of irrelevant as far as this NCO had been concerned, since the back of his head was missing. But Gruber's plans for promotion were looking decidedly shaky right now, he hadn't planned on dying whilst in its service.

"Damn you Schmidt. And damn you Lonn! Where are you?" He dived to the ground as a machine gun burst into life in front of him. "Damn you all!!"

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle17.JPG

* * *

Leutnant Frantz held the radio to his ear and turned white.

"Prepare to engage target approaching from the North!"

The T-34 that had opened the conflict was coming over the bridge - and had been seen heading for the town...

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle18.JPG

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

oh, BTW, that was Chuikov's horse :)
so careful, doc :)

[Doctor Sinister]

oh, BTW, that was Chuikov's horse :)
so careful, doc :)
Well, on the basis that you keep killing my main characters, it's only fair that I should try and take him out!

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

:devil:

do not say I did not warn you! :D

[Doctor Sinister]

:devil:

do not say I did not warn you! :D
Bring it on!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

"Herr Major, we are bracketing the town with heavy fire from both sides and also from head-on. All armour units are engaged. Several buildings have collapsed. Dishinski is being devastated, as ordered. Forward Infantry Platoons are attempting to clear the town of enemy resistance, but there is so much smoke and debris, we cannot see what is happening from here." Meier was matter-of-fact, stoic.

Schmidt nodded. "Any news from Gruber?"

Meier shook his head, Schmidt couldn't be sure, but he thought he caught the whiff of a smile on his Feldwebel's face.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Unteroffizier Schulmeister's Panzer III had been sat in the Churchyard for some time and was busy blasting away at buildings within the town centre when the order came crackling over the radio from Leutnant Frantz in the command vehicle.

Schulmeister bent low to pass the word to the crew. "Turn us to the left and acquire enemy Tank approaching from the North"

He could not help but feel a small amount of trepidation as he scanned the brush, hoping to see the enemy vehicle for himself. If it was a T-34, then he could be in trouble if it came down to a head-to-head duel. Off to his right, a small building collapsed in flames.

"Target acquired Sir!"

"Take the shot!"

The Tank rocked on its suspension as an armour-piercing shell leapt from the barrel. But it went wide, missing the target completely.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle19.JPG
"Stay calm, get the range and try again". But it was difficult for Schulmeister to stay calm as he saw a puff of smoke from the barrel of the T-34. The enemy crew were trying exactly the same thing as his own...

The shattering crash of heavy explosive brought another building down just across the road. Dust temporarily obscured the scene and fragments of timber and masonry cascarded onto the top of his Panzer...

"Rotate towards target, bring our fronal armour to bear, use the dust as a cover and reacquire".

"Firing now Sir!"

Schulmeister crossed his fingers as another shell was fired. It was difficult not to think of the fact that the enemy Tank was firing as many shells as he was. And then...

"Looks like a turret penetration Sir!"

"Excellent, hit them again!" He caught himself smiling and immediately stopped. This wasn't over yet.

The tank bucked with the recoil of another shot. The shell arced towards its target, and bounced off the thick sloped front armour.

"Ricochet Sir!"

"Again!"

As Schulmeister peered at the enemy vehicle, he could see sparks fly from the turret as another shell hit.

"Another penetration Sir!" shouted the Gunner over the noise of yet another collapsing building. Dizhinski was being torn apart.

"Did we kill it?"

"No way of telling Sir"

"Keep firing! KEEP FIRING"!

But Schulmeister could tell the two hits had at least been partly effective...the enemy Tank was no longer returning fire.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Hauptmann Lonn winced as the tinkle of glass and the sound of shattering timber beams announced the destruction of yet another building. Gripping his MP40 tightly with white-knuckled hands, he rounded a corner and saw something that instantly turned his blood cold...

"I don't believe it".

Stood before him was Gruber, bloodstained and dirtied, his usually immaculate uniform ripped and caked in mud.

"Sir, Major Schmidt has ordered me to make contact with you and provide a report back to the Command Point". Gruber threw a shaky salute.

"Did he now?" Lonn was not best-pleased to see Gruber, but orders were orders... "And how are we to do this?"

"I have come with a radio..." Gruber turned, but Kluge, the radio man, was nowhere to be seen. "Oh".

Crouching low to avoid flying debris, Lonn followed Gruber along the route he had followed. It was not long before they came across the decapitated body of Obergefreiter Kluge. A flying metal panel, sent airborne by a collapsing building had sliced clean through his neck. A pool of blood was already congealing on the dirt road.

"You idiot. I suppose you lost track of him in the confusion?" asked Lonn sarcastically as he knelt down to retrieve the radio equipment.

Gruber blushed with embarassment, and rage.

"Thank God it's still working. Let's inform Major Schmidt what's happening shall we?"

* * *

Back at the CP, Major Schmidt listened to Lonn's report impassively.

"Hauptmann Lonn, I realise things are pretty grim up there, but it will not be long until we can give you some air support. I need you and your men to hold on, and puch forward where possible. In addition, we ahve received word from Hauptmann Schreiber that his heavy weapons Company are under mortar attack to the south. If possible, we need you to identify the location of the enemy mortar team and eliminate them".

Schmidt turned to Meier. "Any news?"

"Sir, Leutnant Schreiner reports he has located a suitable target for the 81mm mortars, firing should commence within the next minute."

"Excellent. And then we will wipe Dizhinski from the face of the map!!"

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

oh GOD!

May the force beee www itthhh you, my son, .... Chuikov! ...

KIA???!!!

that is impossible! .... I bet Doc EVIL only got his horse, ... his horse, at best... this is too much pain to take ... oh I cannot believe it! ... oh no!

[Doctor Sinister]

oh GOD!

May the force beee www itthhh you, my son, .... Chuikov! ...

KIA???!!!

that is impossible! .... I bet Doc EVIL only got his horse, ... his horse, at best... this is too much pain to take ... oh I cannot believe it! ... oh no!
My first armour kill of the game - and it's Chuikov!!

HOO-RAAH!!

Ahem. Sorry. I know I will suffer for this - just allow me a brief moment of amusement before crushing me, Master.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

hmm..... I guess chuikov just narrowly made it! :)

His horse was dead, but that does not mean his light sabre was gone!

He learned for the first time, a Jedi is not a GOD, and the Force is not a divine mandate. He is still subject to harm and he has to dodge when targeted .... a good lesson for my little kid.

That is what makes a great Knight, isn't it? :)

[Doctor Sinister]

Bah!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Carrying the radio back to the makeshift forward Command Point, Lonn and Gruber looked up instinctively as incoming shells whirled overhead. Explosions thundered ahead of them and the ground shook beneath their feet.

"What was that?!" screamed Gruber.

Loon stared at him with contempt - "Mortar fire. From our side".

"Lucky for us".

"Not really, if a round falls short or if the Spotter has his co-ordinates wrong, a German shell will kill us just as surely as a Russian one".

Lonn smiled to himself as he saw Gruber's face pale beneath his oversized helmet.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

That party junk, Gruber .... really has some low IQ, I guess :D ... LOL cool writting, Doc..

[Doctor Sinister]

That party junk, Gruber .... really has some low IQ, I guess :D ... LOL cool writting, Doc..
Yeah, he's pretty dim. :D

I thought about holding a poll to decide how he gets killed - you know, to make it more of an Interactive Combat Story.

What do you think?

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

THat is a nice idea.

what kind of options will you present?

I think he should be captured and then send to the POW camp in Siberia... and starve there :p

[Doctor Sinister]

Options range from the above, to being shot in the head by Lonn who loses his rag with the little git, to being blown apart by a tank shell or cut in half by a burst of fire from one of those Maxims you've got in the top storey of that building.

But the posibilities are endless!

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

well, but to be shot by a friendly infantry unit would be pretty tough :D

It is far easier for you to set up a mortar or artillery fire at his location or vicinity, such that he can be taken out :D

[Doctor Sinister]

Unteroffizier Breuer was somewhat surprised to hear the knocking sound on the top of his turret.

Warily, he pulled his Luger from its holster and nudged the hatch open. Daylight streamed in, and a smiling face looked down on him.

"My God!" Breuer could not keep the joy from his face. "You're alive!!"

"Looks that way - although it's taken me a while to get the ringing noise out of my head. How are you?" Leutnant Sumbrunn looked awful, which was not surprising as he'd had his Panzer shot out from beneath him, but he seemed cheery enough.

"Well, we're OK, but the men are getting a bit nervous about sitting here for so long, just taking potshots at the town."

"It's effective though - the whole place is on fire." Sumbrunn glanced towards Dizhinski and the palls of smoke that hung above the shattered settlement.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle20.JPG

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

what can I say?

What can I do? Chuikov, without his horse, (a Jedi without horse is like a nun without .... er.... I do not know ... ) ... could do nothing but wondering as such...

[Doctor Sinister]

Argh! My E-mail server is not responding, I can neither receive or send my mail.

I have logged a complaint with my ISP and hope to be up and running again later this evening - but if you don't hear from me with my latest move, you'll know why.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

No problem.... er... maybe one: is your ISP company the same as mine? :D

[Doctor Sinister]

No problem.... er... maybe one: is your ISP company the same as mine? :D
Yeah - maybe!

Still no joy I'm afraid. I just rang their status line to hear a pre-recorded message say "There are no reported problems with the network". So I left a second answerphone message telling them they bloody well did have a problem and they'll have a bigger one very shortly.

:mad:

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Yeah - maybe!

Still no joy I'm afraid. I just rang their status line to hear a pre-recorded message say "There are no reported problems with the network". So I left a second answerphone message telling them they bloody well did have a problem and they'll have a bigger one very shortly.

:mad:

Dr. S.
that is abnormally nice from you, my lord. You should burn down their house, seize their women and children for pleasure and sales ... and then send all of their men to Iraq :devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

Flames licked just a few feet away from Gruber, Lonn and Sittko as they sat within the ruined shell of a peasant shack.

"According to the Major, Sumbrunn's alive and has taken direct control of the Panzers and the Assault Guns. We can expect armour support in strength at any moment, but until then we can only sit tight. We're in no state to fight. It looks like the northern and southern probes have been destroyed, we must be thankful that the enemy doesn't appear to have sent a stronger force either side of us or we'd be screwed right now."

"So where exactly are the enemy?" Lonn and Sittko turned to look at Gruber.

"In case you hadn't noticed, all around us. We are trapped here in the town with what seems to be an entire Battalion of Soviet soldiers until we can call up some armour to smash our way through, or until the air support blows a way out for us."

Gruber looked even more miserable than he did before. Lonn and Sittko weren't much happier, but they at least had some idea of the pickle they were in.

And then...the sound of approaching armour made them pause in their thoughts.

It was coming from their own lines.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Major Schmidt watched closely through his binoculars as he saw the three StuGs enter the outsrkirts of the town and disappear into the smoke and ruins.

"I hope Sumbrunn knows what he's doing".

* * *

Leutnant Sumbrunn too was watching events unfold, albeit from a closer position than the Battalion CO. A total of seven armoured vehicles now sat within the western entrance to Dishinski, and had already begun to pound away at the buildings containing enemy troops in a show of brute force that was intended to open the town to reinforcements.

He crossed his fingers.

* * *

Unteroffizier Jork rested his hands on the top of his StuG assault gun and recoiled as another blast from the main gun sent a high explosive shell hurtling towards a two-storey building ahead. Flames and smoke filled the air all around him and on more than one occasion whilst driving into the town he had nearly choked on the thick brick dust swirling around.

Just then, in the small gap between two buildings, he saw movement.

"Enemy armour on the other side of the town! Rotate right and engage!"

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle21.JPG

The StuGs gears whined in protest as the vehicle turned to face this new enemy.

"Loading armour-piercing".

"Fire at will!"

At this range, against a T-34, it was suicidal. But Jork and his crew had no choice - the enemy Tank had them zeroed, it was kill or be killed. Jork could only hope that the low profile of his armoured vehicle would save him during the exchange - but as he saw the shell from his StuG bounce off the angled hull of the Tank before him, he knew he might as well be already dead.

Within a few seconds, he was.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

OK ERC, since my E-mail is playing me up again, you will find the latest move here.

EDIT- scrub that, I appear to be out of webspace. Erm, I'm a bit screwed now, really, as it seems I have no way of getting this move to you...

Erm........

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Aha! All back (again). Apologies...file on the way!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

"Sir! Unteroffizier Holzapfel reports that his supporting Panzer has been knocked out!"

Sumbrunn emerged from the top hatch of the Tank he has commandeered and looked back and to his left. Having ordered a general armoured advance on the town under the cover of all the smoke and dust, Tanks sat on both the left and right flanks of Dizhinski were headed for the centre to support troops holding the outskirts. Holzapfel and Chronister commanded the only two remaining Panzers to the North.

Breuer was correct - he could see Holzapfel's Panzer advancing on the town, but the second Tank was burning, the victim of the T-34 that had been skulking in the town centre for the last twenty minutes.

A second, then a third shell thudded into the dead carcass of the vehicle, as if to make sure it was really gone.

"Dammit. There goes the push from the north."

Sumbrunn lowered himself back into the Panzer, wondering if it would be possible to continue with what he had left. Those T-34s were really ruining his day...

* * *

As Major Schmidt studied the town once more, he could see large explosions blossoming in the southern section of Dizhinski.

"It appears that Leutnant Schreiner has fired his Mortars at last!"

* * *

Leutnant Muller's Platoon had secured the Church along with the Platoon commanded by Leutnant Angler some time ago. They had observed the pitched fighting from up close, although so far noi juicy targets had come into view for them to shoot at as a long row of builgings obscured their direct view.

Right now however, they were acutely aware of the cluster of armoured fighting vehicles that had moved up so cautiously in support to their left, and now, mortar fire was blitzing the buildings to their right.

As explosions rippled down the streets, enemy Infantrymen, dazed and confused by the concussions spilled from rubble and intact buildings. The men did not need to be told, rifle and machine gun fire filled the air as the poor wretches who exposed themselves were cut down.

It could not be long before the big push was to start, things were coming to a climax.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

yep, a second or even third shot to make sure the dead is dead is always the rule of the Red Army :p

[Doctor Sinister]

To the South, Leutnant Fuhrmann emerged from the pine forest and into the glorious sunlight with a sigh of relief. He collapsed on the ground as the surviving men from his Platoon clustered around him.

"Sir, we have to keep moving."

Fuhrmann nodded and stood, pausing only nriefly to brush himself off. Their helter-skelter escape from the advancing Russian troops had been a near thing. As it was, some of them still remained behind...covering the escape.

"Dahm's a brave man, unlike me".

Distant shooting behind them, muffled by trees, underscored his words. It was Unteroffizier Dahm's Squad, engaged in a last stand.

Ahead of Fuhrmann, the smoking ruins of Dizhinski blazed away. As he watched, mortar fire blossomed in the midst of the remaining buildings, the town was being slowly demolished, piece by piece.

And Fuhrmann gulped, to realise that his destiny lay in that vision of Hell.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle22.JPG

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Leutnant Sumbrunn poked his head through the hatch of his commandeered Panzer III and saw that all his units were in position. He had collected together all the remaining armour that had joined battle in Dizhinski...the time had come. Or so he thought. Breuer nudged him softly.

"Sir, I have the Major on the radio for you."

Sumbrunn took the handset and paused before speaking.

"Yes sir?"

Major Schmidt's voice crackled out. "I have received word from the Division, you are to hold, repeat HOLD your position".

Sumbrunn could not fathom the order. "Herr Major, we are about to assault the town centre - we have Infantry and armour standing by, we can do this".

"What of the enemy armour occupying the centre of the town?"

"No more than two T-34s Sir, we outnumber them by four to one".

"We have already lost too much armour for such a small battle - it's been too costly. You will HOLD your position until air support arrives...I repeat..."

Sumbrunn angrily yanked the wire from the radio set.

"I'm sorr Herr Major, we appear to have been cut off, and I never got to hear what you said..."

Breur looked at Sumbrunn nervously. It was decision time for the Leutnant - would he attack, or obey his orders?

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

LOL ... what a nice movie scene :) ... Holleywood is beyond stupidity for they did not hire you, my lord :D


But a little hint, better listen to the order :D

:devil:

[Doctor Sinister]

LOL ... what a nice movie scene :) ... Holleywood is beyond stupidity for they did not hire you, my lord :D


But a little hint, better listen to the order :D

:devil:
Might be a bit of a boring ending to the story if he does...

How about I hold a poll on this one?

(that way, if it all goes wrong, I can blame everyone else - :laugh: )

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

try it ... go post a poll :D .... I'd love to see the result ... it will be very revealing indeed :)

[Doctor Sinister]

try it ... go post a poll :D .... I'd love to see the result ... it will be very revealing indeed :)
Really? I'd probably have to turn this into a non-Ladder game if I did...but it might be fun to add some interactivity to things....

Dr. S.

[The Purist]

Attack, attack, attack!!!! :horse:

[John Powderly]

<cues Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries"> :nofear: :cheeky:

[Doctor Sinister]

<cues Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries"> :nofear: :cheeky:
Oh yes - now that's got me in the mood - I...might...just...do...it...

Oh, and welcome to the forums by the way!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

OK chaps, since intel' doesn't really matter any more, here's a tactical update for you. This is the current situation in the middle of our map - the town of Dizhinski. The main victory flag is right in the middle - that's signified by the yellow circle.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle23.JPG

Blue circles indicate positions of my armour - a mix of Panzer IIIS, IVs and StuGs.

Red circles indicate KNOWN positions of enemy armour - at least three T-34s - there may be more, I just don't know. He's got a Tank sat right ON the Flag. :D

Enemy Infantry occupy most of the large buildings in the town, I have some Infantry in reserve, but not much.

I HAVE decided on my tactics - it will be a glorious end to our little story, tune in tomorrow for an update!

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Schmidt continued shouting into the radio for some time before he realised the line was dead.

The sound of Tank engines revving up drifted down from the front line.

“Damn you Sumbrunn!! You’ll pay for this defiance!” He turned back to the radio operator, his face crimson with anger. “Get me Hauptmann Lonn on the line, immediately!”

* * *

Lonn listened with mounting concern as the Major screamed over the radio at him.

“It’s bad enough that we’re stuck in this hellish country, I’ve now got a rogue Officer on my hands who refuses to follow orders. Get over to Sumbrunn and STOP his assault. We have Stukas incoming to knock out any enemy armour, they will be here in ten minutes. Sumbrunn will throw away any advantage we have!!”.

“Acknowledged Herr Major. I think perhaps Leutnant Sumbrunn is shell-shocked from having his own Panzer knocked out beneath him, but we will stop him, I promise you.” The line went dead.

“What are we going to do? We can’t go out there, we’ll be killed” Gruber’s whining voice cut into Lonn like a knife. He glared back at him.

“We’re paid to die – or haven't you realised that yet?”

“Then send some of the men, it is imperative that we stay here, to lead the glorious counter-attack once our reinforcements arrive…after all…we are Officers…we are more important…”

In a swift move, Lonn grabbed Gruber forcibly by the throat. He rammed him up against the wall. “You? More important? In what way? More important than the radioman who served in the Army for twelve years and who died by your side without you even noticing? More important than the veterans of Poland and France, who fought their way into this town and who are now trapped here? More important than the Feldwebel outside propped against the wall and dying, the same man who single-handedly knocked out a British Tank in Belgium? If you were a real Officer, you would know the true meaning of who is important in this war – it’s not you or I, or any Officer, it’s the men out there. We have a responsibility to those men, just as they have a responsibility to the Fatherland. But you just don’t get it do you? You think being an Officer is all shiny boots and shouting orders. You merely see your position within this Battalion as some kind of stepping stone to glory. You’ve failed to take account of the fact that you need to earn your position here, and playing favourites with the Party cuts no ice with me, or with the Major. I’ve lived with these men for five years, and I am not ordering them to do something I would not do myself.”

Gruber began to choke, and Lonn released him, dropping him to the floor like a sack of flour. He looked down on the pitiful form with scorn.

“No. WE are not Officers. I am an Officer. You…you are nothing but some kind of sponge, totally spineless and sucking up everything the Party and your beloved Fuhrer tell you. In case you hadn’t noticed, there will be no glorious counter-attack, it’s up to US, here and NOW to hold the line, and ensure that this battle doesn’t turn into a rout on our part. Now pick up your weapon and come outside with me, we’re going to stop Leutnant Sumbrunn from doing something stupid before those Stukas arrive”.

Lonn spun on his heels before Gruber had the chance to respond. Shocked and silent, Gruber followed him out into the raging battle.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

I swear, my lord, I will help you get rid of that junk :D ... ;)

[Doctor Sinister]

I just wanted to savour this brief moment...

I don't believe that this can be accurate, but for the first time in the game, the main VP appears to be mine.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle24.JPG

Sigh...if only it were true...

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

"Let's get moving".

Breur tensed. Sumbrunn had just disobeyed a direct order from the Battalion CO, and Breur was going to go along with it...

"Yes sir!"

* * *

Simultaneously, all of the remaining German armoured vehicles began to advance on the town centre - six vehicles in the middle, one on either flank.

As the Tanks slowly glided forward, they unleashed more waves of devastating fire upon the buildings that still stood before them. Another building collapsed in on itself, creating an immense dust-cloud...

* * *

Ensconced within the Church, Leutnant Muller saw that some kind of big push had begun - with swirling smoke covering their position, it was the perfect opportunity to get going as well.

"Alright everybody! Let's move out!"

Rifles barked and machine guns flared as the first Squads left the ground floor of the Church and began to assault the nearest building. The armoured vehicles would be helpless without Infantry support - Muller knew he had to get his men up close to neutralise the opposing forces as much as they could.

It would not be easy. But they were now committed.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

With a roar of engines, German Panzers began streaming past the building being assaulted by Leutnant Muller's Platoon and emerged into the main street. Leutnant Frantz in his Panzer IIIH was in the forefront of the attack, flanked by a StuG to his right. The dead Panzer of Unteroffizier Kunick sat to his left, and inhibited the stream of AFVs pouring through ther gap.

"There is is! One T-34 dead ahead - fire at will!!"

The two Tanks faced each other head to head - and both fired.

http://www.shush-its-secret.demon.co.uk/CMBBBattle25.JPG

Leutnant Frantz died instantly as a shell from the Russian tank hit the top of his turret, causing shrapnel to fly about within the cabin. A piece of sharp metal sliced into his head and entered his brain. The instant lobotomy killed him before he had slumped back into his seat.

Shocked, his crew continued to fight, a shell from the Panzer III glanced off of the T-34 and for a moment it looked as if its gun had been damaged. The T-34 began to reverse back up the road. Seconds later however, an incoming shell from the Russian dispelled any notion that it was incapable of fighting on as Frantz's Panzer was blown to pieces. A second and third shell made sure of the job.

* * *

Hauptmann Lonn and Gruber lay on a patch of scrub by the side of the road and watched the unfolding sequence of events in horror. Leutnant Sumbrunn's order to attack and charge the enemy position was in full-swing.

"Nothing can stop this now!" yelled Gruber over the din of battle. In front of their very eyes, Frantz's Panzer exploded.

"For once you may be right" murmured Lonn, scanning the scene. Russian Tanks were clearly visible up the road. The distant sound of another Tank engagement behind them indicated that there were more than just the Two T-34s that Sumbrunn had identified.

"Let's get back to the CP - please Sir."

Lonn looked back at Gruber. The man was a fool, but his instinct for self-preservation might just be the right thing to do at this time. Nevertheless, Lonn had an order, and he intended to see it through.

"Sumbrunn will gave to account for his defiance of hs orders - we have to stop him if we can at all costs. It may not be too late for him to withdraw from the attack. If we can convince the other Panzer Commanders to retreat back to their positions, perhaps we can save the day yet..."

Gruber did not look happy, but for once, and to his credit, he kept his mouth shut and merely nodded his assent. "Let's go then." he whispered, as if he was shocked at hearing the words coming from his own mouth.

Lonn smiled, perhaps they would make an Officer of Gruber yet - maybe his "pep-talk" had done some good after all.

The two men raised to a crouch and crept forward to the edge of the road. Rifle fire broke out over their heads. "Enemy Infantry have spotted us. Let's get across to the nearest Panzers and take cover there."

As one, Lonn and Gruber began their dash across the road. And then...

"My God!!!"

Time began to move in slow-motion for Lonn as he twisted back to see what it was that had scared Gruber so much. On the second storey of a building across the road, a Russian Infantryman had thrown a grenade, and it was coming right for them. Lonn was unfortunate enough to be in the way of Gruber's escape route. Gruber dropped his weapon and charged at Lonn like a wild animal, pushing him over in his desperate attempt to escape.

"We'll all die!" yelled Gruber as he tried to flee. Behind him, Lonn stumbled and fell to the ground before rolling into a shell crater in the middle of the road. Winded by Gruber's cowardly shove, Lonn barely had time to cover his head as the grenade hit the ground near him. Miraculously, it bounced off the rim of the crater and spiralled back into the air...

...towards Gruber.

Gruber was in full flight, any thoughts of being an Officer dispelled from his mind, his mind full of terror. Caught in the open in the middle of the road, he stood no chance as the grenade exploded in mid-air, catching his body, the force of the blast adding to his existing momentum. Gruber was tossed several feet forwards as the grenade fragments pierced his torso in several places simultaneously. His right arm was ripped away at the elbow and his ragged body fell to the ground in a heap.

It took a few moments for Lonn to gain some semblance of composure. He emerged from his protective coccoon of arms and peeked over the edge of the shallow crater. Bullets pinged all around him but he paid no heed. All he could see was Gruber's prostrate form ahead of him. He picked up his MP40 and slung it over his shoulder, and then removed his pistol from its holster.

Oblivious to the sounds of battle around him, Lonn strolled over to Gruber. He stood over him, observing the multiple wounds, the missing arm. He nudged Gruber with his boot and the Leutnant let loose a loud groan and rolled over to face Lonn staring down at him. Blood poured from a grievous head wound and dust filled his lungs.

"...help...me..." he croaked.

"With pleasure" replied Lonn through gritted teeth, raising the pistol and firing a single bullet into Gruber's face.

Gruber died like the good Nazi he was.

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Artistic ... shining ... episode of this junk's removal! I like that part :)

[Doctor Sinister]

As Lonn stared down at Gruber's body, he did not care if anyone had seen him cold-bloodedly execute the young Officer. The fact that he was beyond medical help would not prevent a Court-Martial had there been any witnesses, and it would not stop the Gestapo from interrogating him if Gruber really was a Party favourite as everyone suspected.

Lonn began to trudge back to the forwrd Command Point, little noticing that all hell had broken loose around him. There was only an overwhelming sense of failure in his mind, failure to follow his orders, failure to educate Gruber to the ways of the world, failure to his men and a failure to himself.

And ultimately, a failure to care about this insane war any more...

* * *

The battle for the centre of Dizhinski had degenerated into an armoured free-for-all. Tank duelled against Tank. Infantrymen swarmed from building to building, trying to seize the upper hand. It made the drive to Dizhinski look like a stroll in the woods. Even the StuGs, with their small assault guns fired at the heavy frontal armour of the T-34s ranged against them.

On the northern flank, Unteroffizier Holzapfel swujng his T-34 around a low building, hunting for enemy armour. His wish was soon granted as a T-34 appeared in his vision slit, menacingly covering his approach, blocking any attempt to do precisely what Holzapfel was ordered to do.

The brief, but bloody duel that instantly followed began well for the German Panzer, sparks and flames erupted on the gun mantle of the T-34 as a shell miraculously penetrated the huge lump of metal protecting that vulnerable area. But the crew of the Panzer had failed to see the Russian Infantrymen crouching inside the low building to their right...

"Keep at them, maintain fire".

There was a crash and a tinkle of glass.

"What was that?" demanded Holzapfel.

"We're on fire Sir!" yelled his Gunner. There was a burst of shouting from outside and as Holzwpfel tried to see what was going on, he saw Russian soldiers running away from his Panzer. They must have thrown something onto his vehicle...

And the Gunner was right, the rear engine deck was a mass of flames. Already the temperature inside the cabin was rising alarmingly.

"Get the hell out of here! Get out, before the ammunition goes up!" Holzapfel's mind was a whirl of thoughts as he scrambled to the top hatch. The flesh on his hands seared with pain as he grabbed the latch - the flames atop his Panzer had spread to the turret, the vehicle was now insanely hot.

But Holzapfel didn't have long to worry about such matters as, only a few seconds later, he died along with most of his crew as the T-34 opposite fired a shell into the burning carcass of his Tank, which duly exploded around him.

* * *
In the town itself, things were going a little better. Sumbrunn watched with glee as the T-34 holding the town centre continued to reverse. Peering as best as he could through Breur's binoculars, Sumbrunn saw one, then two German shells penetrate the turret of the Russian tank. It was not clear who had fired those shells, so many vehicles were engaging simultenously but it was not important. As he watched, a third shell finished the Russian tank off and a cheer went up amongst the crew.

To the East, unseen by anyone aboard Sumbrunn's vehicle, a second T-34 exploded after sustained fire by a StuG.

The inexorable advance continued - Sumbrunn's crazy gamble seemed to be working, but even if he was wholly succesful, he was not sure if he would ever command a Panzer again...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Losing 2 T34's in a single turn surely was a great pain for me... Those brave boyz... the Motherland will remember! :love:

[Doctor Sinister]

Major Schmidt felt helpless as he watched through his binoculars to see the Panzers disappear from sight behind the buildings and into palls of smoke.

"Good luck Sumbrunn, you arrogant ass. My career is in your hands now."

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

Major Schmidt felt helpless as he watched through his binoculars to see the Panzers disappear from sight behind the buildings and into palls of smoke.

"Good luck Sumbrunn, you arrogant ass. My career is in your hands now."

Dr. S.
And how about your Career, my lord?

And my apprentice, Chuikov's future? :)

[Doctor Sinister]

Even though he was ensconced within the Panzer, Sumbrun instinctively ducked as a massive explosion outside and to his right blew apart one of the last two-storey buildings lining the town centre.

* * *

Caught in the explosion as the building collapsed, Leutnant Muller was saved only by a large beam over his head that prevented much of the debris from falling on him. He fell to the floor, choking and wretching with the thick dust. As it slowly settled, it became apparent that he was one of the few survivors. The men of his Platoon lay strewn around the ground floor, some partially buried, others crushed completely beneath the masonry and timber.

Whatever Sumbrunn wanted to do with his Panzers, he was now effectively on his own - the Infantry reserves had all but been neutralised.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

And how about your Career, my lord?

And my apprentice, Chuikov's future? :)
When this war is over, Major Schmidt and Chuikov will meet in a bar in East Berlin to reminisce over the battle for Dizhinski...

Dr. S.

[ER_Chaser]

When this war is over, Major Schmidt and Chuikov will meet in a bar in East Berlin to reminisce over the battle for Dizhinski...

Dr. S.
when the war is over. .. Schmidt is still a "major" ?? oh ... poor dude, his career must have been ruined by the panzers then..

if my mind projection was correct, Chuikov, the once young Jedi was at least a full general by the end of the war.

And there would be any bar left in east Berlin? I doubt ... :p

[Doctor Sinister]

Like the Orders that had preceded them, Major Schmidt stared at the piece of paper in his hands for what seemed like an eternity.

OKH DIRECTIVE 2,584, 28th June, 1941

From: Commanding Officer, Army Group South


To: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 516th Infantry Regiment, 295th Infantry Division, IV Corps, Seventeenth Army
As a result of your abject failure to follow basic orders in your attack on the town of Dizhinski dated 27th June 1941, you and your Staff are hereby relieved of command and ordered to report to Divisional HQ where you will surrender your weapons with immediate effect and submit yourselves for Courts Martial.

Signed,

Field Marshall Von Runstedt

There was no point in arguing it of course, in the eyes of the senior command, Schmidt's failure had been absolute. They had said as much over the radio some hours after Dizhinski had been bombed to oblivion by the Luftwaffe. "A needless use of air power that could have been directed elsewhere" and "an unnecessary expenditure of airborne ordnance" was how they had put it.

Astonishingly, they had also blamed Schmidt for a "failure to properly reconnoitre the area" prior to commencing his attack - despite the woolly wording of the Orders that had sent him to Dizhinski in the first place.

And to cap it all, Leutnant Sumbrunn's final headlong charge into the enemy positions with the remaining armour had been a mistake that even Schmidt himself agreed that he should have prevented.

For sure, the Panzers had been able to secure the centre of the town and endure enemy counter-attacks for some time, but the total lack of Infantry support for Sumbrunn and his Panzers could only ever lead to disaster, Stukas or no Stukas.

The mystery over the loss of Leutnant Gruber was the final thing that went against Schmidt. No-one had guessed that he was the son of a senior Nazi Party official. A near catatonic Hauptmann Lonn had been found wandering outside the remains of the town after the final bloody battle, but although he had been questioned as to Gruber's fate, his lips appeared to be sealed. Nobody had seen Gruber, and no-one knew where he was.

Schmidt's thoughts were cut short by a stern voice.

"Herr Major, your weapon please." The Feldwebel in charge of the Military Police who had been sent to collect Major Schmidt from his Command Point seemed a d