Breakout (Combined Operations Book 7)

by Griff Hosker

  "Private Beaumont, get him across the river."

  "But the guns sir!"

  "Leave that with me!" As he helped Fletcher to his feet and headed to the river I holstered my Colt and picked up the sentry's sub machine gun. I emptied the magazine into the darkness and threw it into a gun pit. Then I took out two grenades. I took out the pins of both of them. I dropped them into the two sandbagged gun emplacements and then ran towards the river. The Germans were closer than I had expected and they were firing lower.

  As bullets zipped through the air I heard Sergeant Poulson shout, "Get down sir!" I took a flat dive and hit the water. Our guns began to fire back. I stayed beneath the water. I felt a wave of concussion pass over the water above my head. I was safe from stray bullets and shrapnel there. I kicked hard. My hands touched the bank and I allowed my head to break surface. I turned and saw two fires where the guns were.

  Fred Emerson reached down and held his hand out for me, "Come on sir. I think you have overstayed your welcome at this particular party!"

  As I stood on the bank I looked back. The fire from the burning Tiger could be seen as a glow in the dark. "I think you are right, Freddie."

  Chapter 13

  "We'll stay here and keep an eye on them, sir. Private Beaumont took Fletcher to the doc."

  "Thanks Sergeant Poulson. I hope that the others had a little more luck than we did."

  Polly shook his head, "You came back alive, sir. I reckon you did have luck."

  "What about the others?"

  "Not back yet, sir."

  I followed my men to the camp. The sound of the explosions had woken the Major. He wandered over, "What the hell happened, Captain? Did the Germans attack?"

  "Not quite, sir. We nipped over and blew up the Tiger and the guns. One of my men was wounded."

  He clapped me around the shoulder. "Dammit, I thought you were joking about doing something! You are full of surprises."

  Just then Gordy Barker and John Hewitt appeared carrying Private Davis. "Davis was hit sir. I am not certain how bad it is. Shepherd has a flesh wound, Hay is bringing him."

  The Major roared, "Medic!" Four men appeared, "Get this man to the doc and you two go and help the other Commando."

  "Did they get the job done, Sergeant?"

  "Half done sir. They got the tank but not the guns."

  I turned to the Major. "Sorry sir."

  "Don't apologise son. We just keep the tanks away from the ford. Our boys can cross and take out the eighty eights. Damned fine job! Go to the mess tent. There will be food on the go." He looked to the east. "Dawn is not very far away and I guess we will have to face those tanks they brought up."

  Just then a sergeant came up, "Major, we have just heard from Headquarters. They are beginning their attack on Falaise. They want us to attack at 0700."

  He nodded, "Thanks for the wakeup call, Captain. I guess you can be a spectator here. This will be tank against tank."

  I went to the mess tent. I was not hungry but the coffee was more than welcome. I smiled as I saw Sergeant Poulson wrinkle his forehead. He was a tea man! My men were all seated around a table. "What happened to Scouse, Captain?"

  "His Colt jammed and he was stabbed." They nodded. "Davis?"

  "He took a bullet sir. Shepherd too but Ken was lucky it hit his gun first. He will need a new rifle and the doc will have a forest of splinters to remove but he will be right as rain. Davis? Not so certain. It was a big hole." Lance Sergeant Hewitt was a realist. If he said it was serious then you could take that to the bank.

  "We may not be needed today. But I want everyone ready in case we are."

  "Not likely is it, sir?"

  "No Gordy. The Major was right. We will see how the Shermans do against the self propelled guns and the Mark IVs. At least those two Tigers can't make flanking shots."

  I went along to the sick bay. It was the back of a lorry. The doctor had a makeshift operating room under a large piece of canvas. Fletcher and Shepherd were sat up. I saw that Fletcher's side was bandaged. It was Shepherd's upper arm. They made to rise. "No, lads. You recuperate. They won't need us today."

  "How is Davis sir? He was next to me. That could have been me."

  "The doc is working on him, Shepherd. I guess he will do what he can and then send him back to Caen."

  "Sorry about the gun sir. I clean it every day..."

  "Don't worry about it, Scouse. These things happen and here is a souvenir." I handed him the S.S. dagger. "It is the knife that cut you. Might be something to show to the kids... if you live long enough to have them!"

  "Don't you worry sir. I have plans. This war has shown me that I can move and do great things."

  "Such as?"

  He grinned and shrugged, "At the moment, sir, I haven't got the faintest idea but after the war." He tapped his nose, "I shall keep my eyes open!"

  We had heard the sound of fighting. It was just a few miles away in Falaise but there seemed to be even more coming from the north of us. After I left the sick bay I wandered over to the headquarters' tent. The Regimental Sergeant Major, Angus Watson, looked up when I entered, "Captain Harsker. That was a nice piece of work last night."

  "It is what we do. When the enemy threatens to hang you for wearing a Commando uniform it sort of throws out the rule book."

  "Aye, you are right there. What can I do for you sir? The Major and the lads are getting ready to go into action."

  "I know. What is going on to the north of us? I have heard firing there since the early hours."

  "That would be the Poles sir, Koszutski's battle group, the 1st Armoured Division. They are part of the First Canadian Army sir. They took Hill 462 and Jerry wants it back. They are blocking his way home."

  "They are pulling out?"

  "Between you and me sir, I reckon so. Intelligence reckons that is why they threw together the armour to face us. It is there to allow their big boys to escape." He held up his hands. "I may be wrong but I have been reading reports and listening to radio chatter."

  "You could be right Sergeant Major. Why else dig in a pair of Tigers? They had no intention of crossing the river. They just didn't want us advancing into their flanks."

  I headed to the half track and stood watching the Shermans as they prepared to advance. The sun was up now and the battlefield bathed in the cold blue light of morning. We had a good piece of high ground and I could see down the valley of the La Dives to Trun. The bombers and the battles thus far had thinned the trees considerably. I watched as the Major raised his arm and Kowalski took his Sherman forward. The foot soldiers marched behind having left their Kangaroos. I did not blame them. This way they could take advantage of all the cover they had. The bombing had made it easier for men to find somewhere to shelter. The German self propelled guns fired first. I could not see them but I recognised the sound of their shells. A direct hit could take out a Sherman but they missed more than they hit. The danger was to the infantry who could be struck by flying shrapnel.

  Behind me I heard a roar as a flight of Typhoons flew in so low that I could see the pilots! The sound of the Sherman's guns firing drowned out the sound of the rockets as they all converged on the German armour. I doubted that anything would survive such a barrage but amazingly a self propelled gun and one Mark IV continued to fire and a Sherman burst into flames. Every tank turned to fire at the Mark IV. It erupted into a fire ball as three shells hit it. The self propelled gun tried to retreat but the Shermans were fast and they closed with it. That, too, was destroyed. The infantry cheered and raced through the trees dispersing the Germans who, when they could, ran. The diehards, the S.S., stayed to fight to the death. I put down my binoculars and wandered back to the half track.

  "Emerson, get everything packed. I think we will be heading for Trun soon."

  "Sir!"

  "Hewitt, go and find out if we can have our wounded. If not then they will have to go to hospital with Private Davis."

  "Private Davis was taken an hour since sir. He was i
n a bad way."

  "Right. Look after his things for him eh? I shall get my head down for half an hour. Sergeant Poulson, wake me when we are needed."

  "Yes sir."

  A Commando could almost fall asleep at will. I curled up in a foetal ball and was soon asleep. I woke just as quickly when I shaken by Sergeant Poulson. "It's time sir."

  "What time is it?"

  "Two o'clock in the afternoon sir. The Canadians have taken Falaise and they have mopped up the last of those who were at the road block."

  "And the Major wants us to sniff out trouble again?"

  "That's about the size of it, sir. I had Lance Sergeant Hay take the lads out and pick up ammo and guns. We have another MG 42. That'll come in handy. We have more grenades and plenty of ammo for the Mauser and your Luger."

  I felt more cheerful already. "Thanks. Let's go then."

  Just then Emerson appeared with a large steaming mug. "Here y'are sir. We found some tea and we put on a brew. You can't go to war with just coffee inside you. It's not British!"

  It was after dark that we were summoned. The column had halted and the Canadians were assessing the situation. We drove down the road passing the dead Germans. I noticed that many of these were not the S.S. They had been sacrificed to save the elite. Then we passed the burnt out armour. Charred bodies lay alongside them. I saw that the Shermans had not escaped unscathed. At least five had been knocked out. Two of them had their crews working on them, cannibalising the ones with more damage. We found the Major with his officers just a mile from Trun.

  He smiled as he lit the stub of a cigar. "Sorry to call on you again, Captain, but we have been ordered to take Trun. I am reluctant to go charging in. I am running out of tanks. We have heard that the S.S. are banging on the door of Hill 462 and the Poles are having a tough time of it. Can you get in and tell me what we might find? If you like I can give you some of my men to help you."

  I nodded, "It is what we do. We will go in first and if we need your men we will send for them. Have some ready eh sir?" I turned and said, "Al Jolson time. Mount up."

  The Major said, "Just like that?"

  "No point in wasting time chatting is there, sir?" I pointed to the blackened area of forest to the south of us. "We were there not long ago, at night. We had to fight our way back to our lines. At least this time, if we have to run, you guys are close!"

  He nodded, "Good luck!"

  I jumped in the cab and began to black up. "Emerson drive up to the outskirts. Take it slowly and no lights."

  Trun was tiny. The bombers had devastated it and I suspected that the civilians had fled long ago. In theory the Major should have been able to drive in but there was something not quite right. From the map there appeared to be one road which ran north to south and one which ran east west. We stopped at the pile of rubble which had been the first house. "Fletcher you and Shepherd stay here and man the machine gun. Sergeant Poulson, I want you and Sergeant Barker to take Emerson. Go down the south side of the town. I will take Lance Sergeant Hewitt and Private Beaumont. We will do the north side. I don't think there are any civilians so shoot first and ask questions later. It doesn't matter if they know we are here."

  "Sir."

  I took my Thompson. I still had five magazines. After that I would be using my Luger. "Beaumont, Tail End Charlie!" I climbed over the rubble and headed for the next half wrecked building. Some of the ones I could see looked to have half a roof and, perhaps, one or two walls. Others had none. I stared ahead and looked from left to right. I was looking for things which shouldn't be there. I hurried to the solid looking wall of what looked to have been a boulangerie. I peered around the corner. I was about to step forward when I glanced down and saw a wire. There was a booby trap. I whistled to attract Sergeant Poulson's attention. He glanced over. I knelt and pointed to the wire. He nodded. He would check his side for such booby traps.

  I whispered, "Booby trap. Beaumont, disarm it and then follow."

  "Right sir but just check ahead eh? If this was us we would lay two."

  He was right and I looked around. I didn't see any wire but I did see a man made pile of stones. Kneeling down I put my hands inside and felt a potato masher. "You are right, there is another one here under these stones." I stepped out into the street. I was taking a risk but it was less risky than a booby trap. I knew there could be a sniper with his gun trained on me. It was ironic because I had done the same more than twenty four hours earlier. I suddenly stepped to the left and then crouched. I knew that Hewitt would do the same. It would throw off any sniper who had a telescopic sight.

  We had almost reached the crossroads and I had begun to think that Trun had been abandoned when I saw, across from the ruined buildings and road, the camouflaged barrel of an eighty eight. I pretended that I hadn't seen it. I turned and said, "There is an anti tank gun behind me. Beaumont, you have good eyes. Can you see it?"

  He just moved his eyes and not his head. Keeping his voice level he said, "Yes sir, and there is a machine gun to its right."

  "Let's have a bit of play acting eh?" I shouted, "Sergeant Poulson. It looks clear. We are heading back. Just check the far side of the buildings over there will you?"

  "What sir? We aren't far from the crossroads."

  "I know but Private Davis here has good eyes and he can see nothing directly ahead."

  Sergeant Poulson caught on and he nodded, "You are right sir. Dead eyed Davis, eh? Right lads over the rubble."

  I began to walk back. When I reached the place where Beaumont had disarmed the booby traps I quickly clambered over the stones. Hewitt and Beaumont had barely managed it when the machine gun opened up. The Germans had realised they had been seen and their ambush spotted. They were using tracer and I saw the arc of bullets strike where we had stood. Sergeant Poulson and his team had already taken up a defensive position and their machine guns returned fire. I kept going. I knew that the Canadians would now realise that there were Germans in Trun. Part of our job was done but I needed to see the extent of their defence. Was it just a last ditch defence at the crossroads? While my other section fired at the ambush I crawled over the rubble towards the north south road. Hewitt and Beaumont followed me. Another machine gun fired but it was firing blind. We were in dead ground but it did tell me where a second defensive position was. It was north of the first one. We took shelter behind a chimney. It had once been inside a house but the house had now gone leaving it like a skeletal finger pointing to the sky.

  Hewitt hissed, "There is a tower sir. It looks like the remains of a church. I think I saw someone up there."

  I did not peer around the chimney. A tower would be a perfect place for a sniper. "How far away would you say it was?"

  "A hundred yards sir, no more."

  "Right. I am going to make a move. When I do the two of you see if you can make his position untenable!"

  "Sir."

  I crouched and readied myself. I risked a glance ahead. There were broken chairs and a sofa before me. I had a plan. "Ready! Go!"

  I jumped up and dived on to the wrecked sofa. A bullet pinged off the chimney. I had heard no report. He was using a silencer. Then the two Thompsons sent sparks flying from the tower. I jumped up and ran towards the edge of the road. I could not be seen from the tower. Wriggling through a tunnel of stones and rocks I glanced across the road. I was hidden from view but there, less than forty yards from me were Germans. I saw the barrels of their guns. I spotted the eighty eight. They had at least three of them. Then I realised where they might have got them from. The petrol dump had been ringed with anti aircraft guns. With the dump destroyed they had been given another use. I backed out. When I could see the sofa again I whistled.

  "Sir?"

  "I am on my way back. Give him a burst and I will join you."

  I could see the chimney. It was just feet away but with a sniper on the loose that was a lifetime. The two Thompsons rattled away. I ran. I did not go in a straight line. As I threw myself behind the chimney a bulle
t struck the brickwork just above Hewitt's head.

  "I have seen enough. Let's get back to the Major." We crawled until we hit the dead ground and then we stood. Reaching the first booby trap we ran as fast as we could back to the Shermans. As we passed the half track I said, "Fletcher, get my sniper rifle ready and find the rocket launcher!"

  "You guys found something huh?"

  "They have anti tanks guns and machine guns along the Vimoutiers to Argentan road. They are camouflaged. You should wait until you can have some air support."

  He shook his head, "Headquarters say that the Poles are running out of ammo. We have to get to that road so that they can relieve them. They are trapping the whole of the Seventh Army. We have to do it tonight." He turned, "Start the engines."

  "Major before you do that think, please. You have lost too many tanks. You go down that road and I guarantee that you will lose another three or four. Use your infantry. If they move in small groups with one group covering and the other moving they can get close. If you have grenade launchers or mortars then you can make it too hard for them." He did not look convinced. "What have you got to lose, sir? It will take an hour to find out if this will work and if the infantry can destroy a gun or two then you might have a better chance of success. It would be a slim one but better than this."

  He nodded, "Very well and what will you be doing?"

  "There is sniper and an observation post. We are going to get rid of it." I turned and headed back to the half track. I turned to Beaumont and Hewitt, "You two, I want you to take the rocket launcher we acquired. I will try to take out the sniper. You take out the tower."

  "Sir."

  Fletcher was waiting for us. "How's it going sir?"

  "The same as always, Fletcher, trying to stay alive when every German on the planet seems intent on killing us!" While the other two prepared the launcher and rockets I made sure I had spare Mauser clips. I looked through the sight. It was not perfect. It was too dark to be that but it would have to do.