| The characters of "Combat!" are the property of ABC. No profit is made. Copyright 2004 by Ranger. A River to Cross The icy blast of the swirling current took the breath away from each man in the squad as they entered the knee deep river. They’d been ordered to take a position on the opposite side of it to pre-empt any German forward patrols from learning about the upcoming American attack. Intelligence had determined that this particular stretch of the river was the most easily fordable and the lay of the land leading up to it on both sides of it lent itself to military logistical movement of troops and equipment. The Americans had approached the ford first although they were still gathering their equipment and personnel to make the push into and over the river. Scrambling up the muddy snow covered bank Saunders called for a short rest to check on his men. The cold and the plunge into freezing water had even the Sergeant shivering. Seeking some warmth Caje hopped up and down clapping his hands. Doc and Kirby’s teeth could be heard chattering away. Littlejohn kept rubbing his arms up and down as if he were kindling a fire. Nelson, Minville and Stewart were coming up the bank now looking frosty and cold. Sergeant Saunders shook his head and got the squad moving again. It was days and nights like this in inclement weather that could wear on a man. Saunders wished they could take the time to have a campfire and dry out before moving on but orders were orders and they needed to be in position by 1500 hours. Less than two hours from now. A light snow from the night before still covered the ground making the travel a bit more treacherous. Every once in a while a soft swear could be made out as someone slipped on the footing. They were nearing their objective now. Caje came back from point duty to concur with the Sergeant the best vantage points. They had a one mile stretch of river country to guard. Saunders dropped Kirby and Minville at the first location. Next was Nelson and Littlejohn. The Sergeant sent Caje and Stewart to cover the far end of the perimeter. Saunders took up the position between Caje and Littlejohn. Doc curled up in a ball huddled for warmth nearby the Sergeant. Daylight had diminished into a moonless night. The stars flickered very brightly in the intense cold. Saunders checked the clip on the Tommygun insuring that it was still set right. He then focused his attention to his pant leg. No fires, no action and wet boots and pants produced frozen daggers of clothing into his leg. Doc and everyone up and down the line had the same problem. There was no relenting the cold and snow. The Sergeant told Doc to stay put while he checked the line. Searching out Stewart and Caje first. “Anything?” he asked Caje. “Nothing. Sarge. They sure they are expecting the Germans to come knocking?” Caje asked. “Anything’s possible. Just keep an eye open” Turning to Stewart, Sarge asked the green recruit, “how you doing, Stewart? You eat some rations? It’s going to be a long night.” “Yes, Sir.” came Stewart’s reply. Saunders didn’t go into the details of only officers are called Sir, he just gave a faint smile, “Keep on the lookout. Sleep one off, one on if you have to.” “Right, Sarge,” Caje quipped. Saunders moved on to the others going through the same routine, saying the same things. It was hard to keep morale up when you were frozen, tired, hungry, cold, laying on cold wet snow with not even a fire or a hot cup of coffee to warm you. He slapped Kirby on the shoulder, “Cheer up, Kirby, morning sunshine is on its way.” “Yea. Seven hours from now.” Kirby grumbled. The Sergeant made his way back to his position. “Doc how you doing?” “Frozen. I feel like a frozen fish in the seafood counter.” Doc answered. “You’re not alone, Doc.” Saunders said and as he turned around to scout for the enemy a smile crossed his lips. At least Doc still has a sense of humor, he thought to himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Night passed slowly. Morning came with a nip in the air and a frost on everything else. Kirby shook his fingers trying to get the blood to circulate in them. “Damn, it’s cold. I’m thinkin it even beats them Chicago winters.” Minville just shrugged and did a bit of stretching returning to scan the horizon. Saunders woke Doc. “Sleep good? You slept all night. Doc. I’m gonna check on Caje’s position. I’ll be right back.” Doc nodded, stretched and yawned again. “Okay, Sarge.” Caje’s position was probably the most important. S2 had mentioned that there were German outposts to the Northwest of his location. The geography of the land led them to believe if a probing patrol was sent down river that this location would be the first place that they would look to cross. Caje was scanning the landscape like a cat scans the landscape to trap a mouse. Stewart was nervously craning his neck this way and that way searching for enemy movement. Saunders approached the two. As he passed Stewart he laid a hand on the boys shoulder for encouragement. “Take it easy. We’ve got good cover and we got here first.” “Yes. Sir.” Stewart once again answered. This time the Sergeant gently reminded the young soldier that Sir was for officers not non-coms. “Caje. How’s it looking?” “Good, so far, Sarge.” Caje replied not taking his eyes off the horizon. “How much longer we going to have to hold?” “Troop movement should commence at 1000 hours,” Saunders said looking at his watch. “Just about another three hours should do it. If all goes according to plan.” Sergeant Saunders turned to leave. “Sarge!” Caje quietly called in earnest. “Over there. I think I saw some movement.” Saunders rolled on his side beyond the next rock. Pulling out the binoculars he searched the area Caje had pointed to. Sure enough he began to count the German soldiers. “Looks like a platoon. Hold your fire unless spotted or they try to cross.” Looking over towards Doc, the Sergeant hoped that he was fully awake and keeping an eye out too for trouble. Taking a look again at how close the Germans were, Saunders then looked over at the cover he had to make it back to Doc. If he crawled most of the way he thought he could make it. He couldn’t see Doc from this position, but he knew if he got back there he could see Billy and Littlejohn and wave on the information to pass on to Kirby and Minville. “Caje. Cover me.” Sarge said as he already was crawling. The Sergeant leaving made Private Stewart more nervous. His hands began to shake. “Calm down Stu.” Caje said quietly. “Just keep watch on their movement.” Saunders had made it almost back to Doc. He had quietly crawled ninety per cent of the way when his leg came in contact with a branch hidden under the snow. The snap of the branch in the cold morning ear seemed to echo for miles. Immediately the Germans fell to the ground and took cover behind trees and rocks. “Damn.” Saunders cursed. He sprang to his feet and ran zig zagging to the rock where Doc was hidden. A shot rang out nicking the Sarge in the upper arm. That, the cold and the slippery snow was enough to send him headlong, crashing into Doc. Doc’s face took the full brunt of the weight of Sarge and his Tommy Gun. Saunders tried to untangle his legs and arms from the fall. When he completed the task, that’s when he noticed Doc. Out cold in the snow. A mean gash up the side of his face. Bullets were shearing through the trees. The Kraut machine gun was just tearing the branches apart on the trees overhead. Saunders could hear the others firing away at them. He grabbed Doc’s ruck and pulled out a bandage and quickly placed it on the deepest cut on Doc’s cheek. Taking a handful of snow he scrunched it up as if making snowballs and placed it near the knot now forming on the Medic’s forehead. The purplish shape of his rifle imprinted on Doc’s face. Another bullet slammed nearby and the Sarge quickly picked up his Tommygun and returned fire. Immediately one German fell dead and another wounded. He looked over to Nelson and Littlejohn who were firing away in heated battle. Billy looked over to him and Saunders motioned to get around the Germans with grenades. Nelson left Littlejohn and moved over to get Minville. Kirby skipped over to where Nelson had just vacated. Minville and Nelson crept low and fast flanking around from the Southwest. The squad kept the firepower going. Saunders took time to reload his weapon and at the same time check on Doc who was still out of it. The Sergeant knew that Caje and Stewart were still fine as he could hear the Garand and M1 shots. He looked over to Kirby. The BAR must have been getting hot the way Kirby was firing it continually. Saunders began firing away again. Two explosions were heard. The surprised Germans got up to run from the direction of Nelson and Minville. Caje and Stewart got up and began to move in for a closer shot. Kirby and Littlejohn were still firing their weapons. The Sergeant turned when he heard the yelp. Just in time to see the BAR man fall backward. Littlejohn pulled Kirby back behind cover. He saw Kirby raise his hand and Littlejohn throw a bandage on him and place Kirby’s hand upon the cloth. A pensive Saunders contemplated his next move. One quick look at the German positions and then he was up and running towards them firing the Tommygun and seeking shelter behind some large trees. Saunders then sprinted for some fallen logs. Reaching them he tried to estimate how many Germans they still had to deal with. He had only heard one more grenade, making three total. He thought Nelson and Minville must be pinned down because he only heard their rifles now. The Sergeant studied the terrain and then sprang from his cover sprinting across open ground to another boulder, getting there just as a shot spliced the top of the rock shattering pieces of rock all over the place. Saunders was now close enough to toss a grenade or two. He pulled the pin on the first and tossed it. Just as he was doing that he heard a German grenade explode near where Caje was. Sitting with his back to the rock he peered around the edge to look towards his men. He saw that Stewart was working on Caje’s leg. He pulled the pin on his second grenade and tossed it. He then heard Littlejohn shout something. He turned to look just in time to see several American soldiers emerging from behind Littlejohn. The American attack had begun. Turning again to face the enemy he saw that they were fleeing their positions. Once again he got up and in a zig zag pattern joined Nelson and Minville in chasing the enemy further back. More squads came forward and took over the chase allowing the Sergeant and his squad to rejoin each other. Saunders took a mental count of the casualties. A medic was bent over Doc who was now awake but fully in pain. Two medics were bringing a wounded Caje up on a litter. Apparently the German grenade had splintered rock and some had embedded in Caje’s calf. Stewart had taken over according to a proud Caje. Kirby was being loaded onto a litter. He having taken a bullet to his thigh would be in the field hospital for a bit no doubt laying it heavy on the nurses. Oh yes and that little nick on the shoulder of his? It was still bleeding and one of the medics working on Caje told him to sit so he could bandage it. Lieutenant Hanley and Brockmeyer approached Saunders. “Well I see you and your squad managed to save the day again. Our artillery will be hitting their outposts and troops any moment now and then we move in. Not your squad though. I’m sending first squad back to the village for some rest.” Saunders was trying to avoid the medic but was ordered to sit by the Lieutenant. “Thanks, Sergeant. Have a cup of hot coffee on me when you get back.” Hanley was off to join the troops ousting the Germans. The Medic helped Doc stand. He stumbled his way over to Saunders who was still having his arm bandaged. Saunders sheepishly looked up at Doc, “sorry about that, Doc.” “You’ll have to tell me this story. I don’t remember a thing.” Doc said. “It’s a long story, Doc. I’ll tell it to you over the beer I owe you. Come on let’s get out of here” Sergeant Saunders ordered all. The end |
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