by Griff Hosker
As I stood I saw Crowe triumphantly raise his grenade launcher and whooping like an Indian. Gordy growled, "I thought the captain said just rifles and pistols?"
Crowe feigned innocence, "This is a rifle grenade Sarge!"
"He is right Gordy. That was a good exercise. Well done Davis."
"To be honest sir I could have had you a couple of times but I had no clear sight of the target. I didn't want to risk hitting you for real."
Gordy sniffed, "It was a bit much going for the sergeants first."
"Actually, Barker, that is what snipers are trained to do. Davis' second shot was at me. It was why I hit the deck. The NCOs and officers will be the first targets."
As we sat, back at the mine, we went through the options we had. "What we could have done sir, was to go in pairs. A bit like the light infantry do. One fires and the other runs."
"That would work."
Sergeant Poulson injected some cold water, "Except that one man has to be hit to find out that there is a sniper. If we were attacking a machine gun emplacement the Germans could have snipers close by. I have to tell you, sir, that I think the odds are with the snipers."
Beaumont was always Mr Positive. "We have our own sniper, sir. Why not use Davis to take out the enemy snipers?"
Davis liked that idea. "I would know where the best place was for the sniper to be. They will move sire. I did. But when you move you have to show yourself, however briefly. That gives us a chance."
As we marched back to camp I felt that the day had gone well. Crowe had impressed me. He had not obeyed the rules but then we were Commandos. We made our own rules. I decided that we would equip ourselves as we saw fit. As we passed the camp I called in and made a request of the armourer sergeant. "A bit unorthodox sir but I will see what I can do. The day after tomorrow all right?"
"That will do, Sergeant."
I had to let Sergeant Poulson take the men training the next day as Lord Lovat had the other officers assembled for my talk on the beaches. I was not allowed to mention Normandy but I think that most of them guessed our target. To be fair the defences we would be attacking, no matter where it was, would be the same as the ones we had seen at Riva Bella. I saw some of the younger officers writing copious notes as I told them of the mines, the wire, the tobruks and the command centres. My sketch of the beach had been duplicated and they all had a copy.
"The Germans will have a good view of us as we come in and they will direct their fire at us." I used my experience landing from an LC(I). "When the ramps are lowered you will be exposed. In my view there will be only two types of Commando left on that beach; the quick and the dead."
I received a good round of applause. Major Foster and Lord Lovat took me to one side. "Well done, Harsker. That was just what I wanted. Too many of these chaps seem to think we will waltz in and take the beach head easily."
"I think, sir, that it will be bloody." He nodded. "Sir, we have been training up at the mine and practising assaults. Do we have to go in with regulation weapons?"
Lord Lovat cast a curious look in my direction, "What do you mean, Captain?"
"My men are used to being behind enemy lines and adapting to changing circumstances. Some of my men have German pistols and other weapons acquired during our raids. We would like to take advantage of every opportunity to defend ourselves and attack the enemy."
Lord Lovat's face cracked into a smile, "I shall be going ashore with my trusty hunting rifle, my Winchester. I wouldn't dream of allowing every officer to do as you are, Harsker, but you have proved time and again that you get the job done. I will be relying on you and your men to get me to the bridge over the Orne. Do it anyway you can."
The Brigade left the next day leaving just Captain Marsden and myself at the camp with our men. Major Rose, Daddy Grant, Reg Dean and the rest of the support staff were preparing to head to Southampton and our new quarters. The armourer saw me just as he was loading the last of his equipment. He handed me a wooden box. "Here you are sir. If anyone asks you found it when it fell off the back of this lorry."
"Thank you Sergeant."
He grinned, "I have no idea why you need a second sniper rifle but I am certain you will put it to good use, sir!"
Poor Reg Dean was like a bear with a sore head. Private Larkin bore the brunt of the Sergeant Major's ire. Reg shook his head, "Mrs. Dean is not happy, sir. Not only are you lads leaving but I am too. And when Mrs. Dean is not happy then I am a bad man to cross."
"We are still here for another couple of weeks, Reg."
"I know but then you go too and she will be rattling around in that big old house."
I remembered Mum when we all left home. "Why don't you suggest she has the house redecorated. Mum did that. It gives them a challenge and they can take their frustration out on the decorators."
He brightened, "Good idea sir. She has been going on about the wallpaper and with the lads all smoking every room needs doing."
When the Brigade had gone it was like being in a ghost town. Our two sections had a couple of weeks to train and then we would be off to Devon for assault training. It brought into focus the problems of Osborne and his cabal. There were now just six of them who were being obstructive but they were a hard core who knew their rights and played everything by the book.
Captain Marsden had had enough. "I am going to break him or transfer him out."
"Just transfer him. You have more than enough grounds."
"I can't inflict him on someone else. He is our problem and the Sergeant and I will deal with it. It will help the fact that we are training with your men."
We were outside our digs and waiting for our men. Reg and Major Rose were doing a sweep of the camp before they left for Southampton. They hoped to find some of the stolen gear from the Quarter Masters. The bags of the brigade had all been searched before they left but nothing had been found. It was hoped that the major would find the stolen items hidden in the camp. I had my doubts. Whoever had done this was clever. They would probably keep any unsold gear close by them. It might even be in their bags.
John and I had full Bergens. We wanted to replicate the conditions we would find in Normandy. I had my sniper rifle and my Thompson. I wondered if I would regret it. However when we landed in Normandy we would need every piece of equipment we could carry. I pointed up the road. "If you lead with your section we will follow on behind you."
"Are you certain, Tom? Your men are far fitter."
I grinned, "I think it will be better if we follow, don't you?"
He saw what I was getting at and nodded.
Our men arrived and fell in. "Sergeant Barker if you would care to run up alongside me this morning."
"Of course sir." He looked at me curiously but said nothing. We knew each other well.
Captain Marsden led his men up the hill at a fast pace. We could run faster but it was a healthy pace. As I had expected Osborne and Harris, his close friend, were at the back and within ten yards had dropped back two yards. Their Bergens appeared to be over packed. I wondered what they had brought.
Gordy soon cottoned on. "Move yourselves you lazy pair!"
Osborne turned with a sly grin on his face. "I am going as fast as I can. Overtake us sergeant!"
In answer Gordy and I speeded up and our knees crashed into the thighs of the two men. "Hey up! What are you doing?"
"Running! Now get a move on or you will be black and blue!" Our knees struck them again and they began to speed up.
I heard Osborne chunter, "I am going to put an official complaint in about this. It isn't right!"
I snapped, "If you can talk, Osborne, you are not running fast enough!"
Once again we closed with them but the two realised our intention and ran faster. Their other four confederates had dropped back a little too. I smiled as Osborne said, "Get a move on these two behind us are nutters."
"Insubordination, Osborne. You are on a fizzer!"
"I wasn't talking about you Sarge!"
"T
hen shut up and run, you horrible excuse for a man."
By the time we reached the camp Osborne was a wreck as were his pals. John Marsden had told me of this ploy.
We gave them no time to rest. "Drop your Bergens. Number Two Section you will defend the hill. Number One, we will attack." I nodded to Captain Marsden and Sergeant Curtis. "If you two would like to act as umpires?"
"Righto."
It was a little unfair as we had done this for a week and were well practised however it would give the larger section of Captain Marsden the opportunity to see how it was done. His section had a K gun but only four Thompsons. We divided into four teams. Our secret weapon was Crowe. If we could have used Davis then we would have cleared the hill in minutes but it was unfair to use live ammunition with Captain Marsden's section.
We moved quickly and used every inch of cover. Each time the K gun stopped to reload we advanced further up the hill. Shepherd was one casualty but Captain Marsden's section lost four. When Crowe began to drop his adapted grenades into the heart of the defence the K gun and machine guns were eliminated and we were declared the winners.
Whilst the majority of Captain Marsden's section were impressed by our assault Osborne, Harris and three of his friends were not. Sergeant Poulson and I became umpires as Number Two section attacked. When they tried to advance as Smith reloaded, half of the section were shot by the two Thompsons at the top. As one was the grenade launcher and a second Sergeant Curtis it soon became apparent that they were going to lose. I saw that Osborne and Harris, along with two other soldiers had hung back. When it was over they stood grinning as though they had outwitted us.
The Captain and Sergeant Curtis had not seen the act and, as we gathered for a brew, they were full of questions about how we had pulled it off. Sergeants Poulson and Barker explained. I watched Osborne and Harris. They were up to something. They were sidling back to their Bergens. I shouted, "You two! Stop there!"
They stood like guilty school boys. "Weren't doing nowt, sir. Just getting my Bergen."
I pointed to the others. "Those men were listening and learning how to survive. Unlike you and your cronies they did their job. I would not like to advance towards Germans with you cowards behind me!"
"You can't call us cowards sir!"
I laughed as I walked up to him, "Of course I can you pathetic little man! You and the others made no attempt to attack the castle! What would you call it?"
"It is just a daft game sir!"
Captain Marsden and Sergeant Fletcher followed me down the hill. I could see that John was angry. He fought to control it. "Captain Harsker is right Osborne. I don't want you behind me when we invade France. Nor you, Harris." He turned and glared at the other four who had wisely sat with the rest of the section. "As for you four I will watch you." Osborne and Harris were both grinning. I confess I would have liked nothing better than to smash Osborne's face to a pulp but I knew he wanted that.
Captain Marsden was now grinning, "Funny is it Osborne? Let's see how funny you find it when I transfer you out."
He stood defiantly, "Another Brigade will suit me sir and Harris here too!"
"Oh it won't be another Commando unit. You will go back to a regular battalion with a full report about your conduct!"
His face infused with colour, "You can't do that sir! The money!"
"Commandos get the extra money, Osborne, because they earn it. You do not. Now sit over there. I will have the transfer orders ready by tomorrow morning. We are shot of you."
The two of them glowered but they were now well outnumbered. The other four had been hangers on and knew which side their bread was buttered. As the two ringleaders went to their bags I said, "Sergeant Barker and Sergeant Hay. Fetch me their Bergens! They looked rather well packed for an exercise at the mine."
"You can't do that! They are ours!"
Ken Curtis laughed as he strode over to help my two sergeants, "They are army property! What are you hiding, you horrible little man?"
With three of the toughest sergeants in the Brigade facing them the two backed down and their sagging shoulders told me that they were now resigned to their fate. Our men had equipment in their Bergens but it was just that which was necessary for the exercise. No one carried excess. I was an exception. When the two bags were opened and the contents dropped to the ground even I was surprised. A half dozen Colts and ammunition tumbled out as well as two pairs of binoculars.
I looked around at the other four. "Sergeant Poulson, empty their bags too!"
One of them, Private Jones shouted, "We have nowt like that sir. We didn't take owt! It was them two."
"Shut your mouth or..."
Osborne got no further as Ken Curtis put all of his pent up anger into a blow to his face. Osborne fell, as though pole axed. Captain Marsden said, "Explain yourself, Jones and make it good!"
"Sir, we knew they were up to something but not what. If anyone went near their bags they gave us a going over."
"If I thought for one moment that you four were involved in this scheme as well...."
"Honest sir."
Sergeant Poulson had emptied the bags. He shook his head, "They are clean, sir, but that doesn't mean that they didn't know about it."
"We suspected sir but..."
I nodded, "Let's get them back to camp. The Major and the Sergeant Major will be there. They can get the Military Police. As for you four, if you aren't telling the truth..."
"We are sir. Honest."
John said, "Thanks for that, Tom. Sergeant Curtis and I will deal with these." Osborne had come to and was wiping the blood from his face while glaring at Curtis. "Come on you pair. Wilson, Cartwright, you take charge of these Bergens." Ken Curtis picked up the two rifles and handed them to another two of the section.
This reminded me of Waller all over again. The difference was Waller had not been a thief, he was just a thug. "Right lads, double time down the hill."
I led. Captain Marsden and Sergeant Curtis would bring up the rear with the two prisoners. We ran hard. It was less than a couple of miles to the camp and the hard run would burn off some of the anger we all felt. We were a mile from the camp when the sound of the hand grenade made us dive for the ground.
"What the..."
I had my Colt out in an instant and ran back up the hill. I saw Captain Marsden and Sergeant Curtis. They were lying in a pool of blood. Their Colts had been taken. "Hewitt!" Of Osborne and Harris there was no sign. Hewitt knelt.
"They are alive sir!" He turned to Johnson who was the medic for the other section. "Here Johnno, give me hand."
"Emerson, run down to the camp and get an ambulance. The rest of you, drop your Bergens. We have two killers to catch."
I took my new sniper rifle and held it across my chest. "Fletcher, find their trail."
It was not a hard trail to find. They had just run. They headed across the rough ground. The undulating land filled with dips, hollows and scrubby trees made spotting them hard. "Spread out in a long line. Keep Fletcher in sight."
We were approaching a wood and Scouse ran off to the right. Private Jones and another of their section, Private Delaney were the first to reach the path. They tripped the wire and bore the full brunt of the grenades. I was knocked to the ground by the concussion. This time there was no doubt that they were both dead. The fragments of grenade casing had torn through their faces and opened up their skulls. They were dead.
Gordy snarled, "Bastards! They were their mates!"
The time for recriminations would be later. I decided that I would not risk any more of my men. "Davis, fetch your rifle. You and I are going hunting! Scouse, here."
"Sir?"
"Where would you go if you were these two?"
"They have been leading us up hills sir. They are trying to lose us. Both are city lads they will hide in a town. They need a car." He waved a hand up the slopes. "They won't find one here."
"The camp!"
"That's right sir. A nice motor with army plates. I rec
kon they are there."
"Sergeant Poulson, take charge here. Leave a couple of men with the bodies and then check for more booby traps. Fletcher and Davis are coming with me. Bring the rest of the two sections back to the camp."
"Sir. Be careful!"
I patted the rifle. "I intend to be."
We knew the area better than the two killers. We were fitter than they were and we were angry. The three of us ran across country. I worked out that we could eat into their lead by running directly downhill taking the line of least resistance. The camp was not totally empty. There was a platoon of regulars who would be guarding it until the Brigade returned. They were armed and it was not those who worried me. The Major and Sergeant Major Dean rarely went armed around the camp. Neither did Private Larkin. I feared what Osborne and Harris would do. They were ruthless. I realised now that we had stumbled upon a lucrative black market. The two were stealing weapons and selling them. I had no doubt that some would end up in the hands of spivs. I had wondered why they had joined the Commandos and tried so hard to stay in. Now I knew.
I heard a shot. Our instincts kicked in and the three of us went to ground. I could see the camp. It was half a mile away. I saw a soldier lying on the ground. Even as I watched I saw Osborne shoot a second soldier. The others had their hands in the air. Harris suddenly struck one of the soldiers with his Colt. I saw that it was Reg Dean. He did not go down.
That decided me. "Davis, I want you to shoot Harris. I will shoot Osborne. We fire together."
Scouse said, "Are you sure sir?"
"There are four dead men and two wounded men already. I won't risk any more men's lives. When you have a mad dog there is only one answer, you shoot them." I realised that it might be hard for Davis to make a killing shot. They were Englishmen. "If you can wound him then fine but do not miss!"
