by Griff Hosker
Alan Crowe lay there. He had been hit. Sergeant Poulson said, "Hewitt is on his way, sir! Crowe took out the barge with a grenade. The lad did well."
I looked at my watch. It had gone twelve noon. The bridge could now be seen. It was a mile away but who knew what dangers lay before us? I heard the K gun as Gordy and his men protected our flank. There were now just six of us left. We had lost three men and Hewitt would have his hands full. Had John Marsden not done a Light Brigade charge we would have had more chance. Of Lord Lovat there was no sign. I knew that he and his men would be hurrying after us but who knew if they had managed to evade the tank or run the gauntlet of the canal road? I stirred myself. I still had my job to do. It seemed impossible but then Commandos did the impossible every day!
I slung my rifle and loaded a fresh magazine into my Colt. "Reload. We have a mile or so to go. I doubt that they have had time to booby trap this path so we run. Sergeant Poulson, you come with me. Fletcher send a message back to his lordship and tell him where we are then you follow."
"Sir!"
I made sure that the last German grenade I had could easily be reached and then I set off with Sergeant Poulson down the narrow track. We ran!
We surprised the first four Germans. They were heading towards the bridge. Emerging from another path to our right we saw them when they were less than twenty feet from us. As their weapons swung towards us Polly and I let rip. I emptied my magazine. As the cordite and smoke filled the air I saw that they were dead. Bullets ripped through the air. We had surprised these four but not the ones who were following. Poulson fell clutching his leg.
I dropped to the ground and as I reloaded Beaumont sprayed the hidden path. We were rewarded by the cries of those we hit. "Hewitt!"
I lifted my head and saw the Germans just thirty feet from us. They were trying to set up a machine gun. I emptied the Colt at them and then took out the grenade. I smashed the porcelain and threw it high. "Grenade!" It was fortunate that I yelled when I did. Beaumont threw himself across Poulson as pieces of shrapnel scythed through the air. As my ears rang I picked up Poulson's Thompson and ran down the path spraying all before me. The ten man section lay dead or badly wounded and I returned to my men. Beaumont had applied a tourniquet to Sergeant Poulson's leg. Poulson shook his head, "All these years and I get this now!"
"You'll live." I looked ahead and saw that the enemy were fortifying their position by the canal. I could hear fighting up by the bridge. It was maddeningly close. With my K gun guarding the road and no grenade launcher we were left with close weapons. "Until the Brigadier arrives we keep their heads down. Davis; it's up to you and I."
Bill Hay suddenly rolled on his side and began to take off his rubber soled boots. Scouse Fletcher said, "What the hell are you doing Sarge?"
As he started to take his trousers off he said, "I am going to swim under water and drop an egg in that nest."
Bill Hay was a good swimmer. He and I had used flippers and masks in the Mediterranean.
"Are you sure, Bill?"
He shrugged, "I'll give it a go!" He stripped to his shorts and vest. He placed the grenades in his beret and stuck his beret in his shorts.
"Wait until we get their heads down. On my command give them every weapon we have. Good luck, Bill!" I peered through my sights and saw the top of a helmet. As we all fired I aimed at the helmet and managed to hit it. We were close enough for the velocity to penetrate the steel. The others loosed so many bullets that a pall of smoke drifted before us. I saw the slight splash as Bill slipped into the canal. He could hold his breath for a long time. I heard a shout as Fletcher was hit in the hand by the return fire. We kept up the barrage until we all ran out of ammunition and had to reload.
A lieutenant burst from the shrubs and hurled himself to the ground when he saw us. "Sir, Lord Lovat is just half a mile behind me."
"Good. Join in Lieutenant, we need the firepower!"
He took out his revolver and began to fire. I could not see Bill but I did see the explosion from the grenades. As the smoke rose I shouted, "Up and at 'em lads!"
I knew not how many there were but I knew that they would be stunned. I carried my rifle in my left hand and ran forward screaming like a banshee and firing my Colt as fast as I could. The Lieutenant and the remains of my section hurtled after me. As I reached the German position an officer raised his pistol to fire at me. As my Colt clocked on empty I threw myself at him. My Colt caught him in the eye and I twisted his right hand as we fell to the ground. The gun bucked and the Major went limp beneath me.
Ahead of us more Germans were preparing to attack us. I stood and took out my Luger. With the gun held in two hands I began to pick off the advancing Germans. Davis worked the bolt of his rifle as quickly as he could. Hewitt had joined us and his Thompson sprayed the enemy. Beaumont too was lying prone and firing as fast as he could. A half naked Bill Hay threw himself to the ground and, grabbing a German rife, he too began to fire as quickly as he could work the bolt. We bore a charmed life or perhaps there were so few of us that they were a larger target than we were. They began to fall back to a position just a hundred yards from the bridge.
I heard a familiar voice behind me, "I think Captain Harsker that when you resort to having your men fight half naked it is time for me to take over." He loaded a bullet into his .30-06 Winchester and said, "Millins, 'Blue Bonnets' if you please! We are late and that will never do!"
As the pipes began to wail we made way for our comrades who marched past us towards the bridge. It proved too much for the men we had just seen off and their hands stretched into the air. The Lieutenant grinned as he said, "A pleasure to serve with your sir, however briefly! I shall dine off this story after the war!"
Chapter 17
It took some time for the Brigade to pass us. I saw that I had more wounded men than fit ones. "Come on Corporal Hewitt, let's get these men back to a dressing station."
"Right sir."
"And Hay!"
"Sir?"
"Get some clothes on!"
"Yes sir! I do feel a bit exposed! I have had dreams like this!"
Fletcher could walk and we made a stretcher from a German great coat and a pair of rifles for Sergeant Poulson. My sergeant wanted to walk but Hewitt was having none of it. When we found Alan Crowe he was being tended to by two of the Brigade medics. He was pale but alive. They had a stretcher. Corporal Hewitt said, "If you leave the stretcher with us we'll take him back to the dressing station."
"Thanks!"
We had five men to carry the two stretchers. When we reached the road I was relieved to see Gordy Barker and my two K gunners still alive. I could not keep the smile from my face."I am pleased to see your ugly mug, Sergeant Barker."
"And you too sir. At least we haven't left anyone behind."
Sergeant Poulson grimaced as Beaumont slipped a little. "Sorry Sarge."
"Can't be helped." He jerked a thumb at me, "We nearly had to have a body bag for this Captain Harsker though Gordy. He charged Germans like Errol Flynn!"
"What happened to Shepherd?"
"Medics took him to the dressing station in the town."
"Come on, let's find Emerson!"
If we thought that because we had reached the bridge over the canal it was over we were wrong. We still had not managed to clear the beach and the only part of the town we had taken was the part between the town square and the canal. I saw the Free French flag flying over the Casino and knew that Commandant Kieffer had achieved his objective. The dressing station was in the cafe we had first tried to get a drink. It was overflowing. A weary looking doctor said, "Put them down where you can, Captain. We will get to them when we are able."
Corporal Hewitt said, "Can I give a hand sir?"
"Are you a medic?"
"I have training sir."
"God knows we need that. Wash up and give a hand."
Hewitt turned to me. "I will catch up with you later sir."
I led the last five men I had back to
the beach. I had no idea what the orders were. I decided to head back to the beach. We would need our Bergens.
Emerson was still there with the Bergens. I saw a Military Policeman remonstrating with him. "Is there a problem Sergeant?" There were two stretcher bearers hovering nearby.
"I am going to put this awkward bugger on a charge sir! He refuses to leave the beach. These medics have tried to evacuate him four times."
As soon as he saw me his face lit into a grin, "I'll go now sir. I just didn't want to leave the bags." I glared at the military policeman. "There's some thieving bastards round here." He suddenly saw how few men were with me. "The rest?"
"No one dead, Fred! Just wounds. Now hop on to that stretcher. That is an order."
"Yes sir." He rolled on to it. His leg and his arm were heavily bandaged. "Home my man and don't spare the horses!"
As he left the Sergeant chuckled, "You Commandos are as mad as a sack full of cats sir , if you don't mind me saying so."
"No, I would agree with you. Any food on the go, Sergeant?"
"You were with the first wave, sir?" I nodded. "Then you deserve it. Back on the beach just where the Frenchies came ashore."
"Right lads, pick up the Bergens. We'll have some food and then see what the orders are."
It was bizarre. Troops were still being landed; shells were still firing and yet there was hot food available. There was a field kitchen. The cooks were all wearing steel helmets but I could smell hot food. We were recognised by our shoulder flashes and berets. Without asking food was ladled on to metal plates and thrust into our hands. We sat on the rocks by the mole. As we ate I checked my watch. It was just mid afternoon. Twelve hours ago we had been in the landing ship listening to the naval bombardment and now we were on the beach.
As we ate Gordy asked, "Do you reckon we are winning, sir?"
"What do you think, Barker?"
"I reckon we caught them on the hop, sir. Apart from that tank we saw by the square we have only seen infantry. They have bloody big tanks sir. I am guessing that they will hit us soon."
"And I agree. As soon as we have eaten let's see what we can pick up. A grenade launcher or rocket launcher would be ideal. Anything to attack a tank would do."
"A pity we have lost Fletcher eh sir? He could have a nun's knickers off before she knew he was there."
Roger Beaumont had finished quickly. "Davis, come with me. Let's have a look see!"
As the two young privates headed off Gordy shook his head, "That Fletcher is a bad influence, sir. When those two joined us they were as pure as the driven snow!"
We finished the food. I felt guilty. We were on the beach and had full stomachs. The rest of the Brigade were still fighting. I decided to rejoin them. "Pick up the Bergens, lads. We will head back to the Brigade."
"What about Davis and Beaumont, sir?"
"They can catch us up."
Just then I saw the two of them running along the beach with a wooden crate. Gordy shook his head, "What the hell have you got there?"
Davis took out his bayonet and prised the lid open. "It's a PIAT sir! And we have twenty odd rockets too."
Barker snapped, "You didn't steal it off some other unit did you?"
Beaumont said, sadly, "The operators won't miss this sir. They are dead. We found their bodies covered with blankets and this was close by. The tide would have taken it soon."
I nodded, "Get it unpacked. Smith you can be the loader. Beaumont you get to fire it!"
Davis said, "Sir..."
"You are too valuable with the sniper rifle, Davis. Don't worry, this war is not going to end tomorrow!"
It took us an hour to get back to the bridge. The Airborne were still there. They told us that Lord Lovat and the rest of the Brigade were digging in between Hameau Oger to close to Bréville-les-Monts. They were between the Airlanding Brigade and the 3rd Parachute Brigade. It took us another hour to find them. The Brigade had occupied a ridge of high ground. We could see as far as Ranville. Below us lay Bréville-les-Monts. Lord Lovat had set up his headquarters at a forward position. He still carried his Winchester. He pointed to my sniper rifle. "We could have done with that when we crossed the bridge! Snipers killed twelve of my men. All head shots!"
I wasn't certain if he was criticising me. I suppose I could have left my men to be seen to later but that was not my way. "Sorry sir. We are here now."
He gave me a quizzical look, "Not criticising old chap. You did exactly what I asked of you to the letter. If you had toddled off home I wouldn't have blamed you."
"Where would you like us sir?"
He noticed the PIAT over Beaumont's shoulder and the K gun. "Dig in at the edge of the village. The Germans are holding Bréville and there are rumours of armour reinforcing them. We are on our own until reinforcements can be brought in. You have seen Ouistreham; we are behind schedule. Don't expect help in a hurry eh? You know what to do and communications are a bit haphazard at the moment."
"And our orders sir?"
"Stop the Germans!"
I heard Beaumont chuckling as we headed to the southern end of the village. "Something funny, Beaumont?"
"Just the Brigadier. Simple sort of orders eh sir? Precise and yet vague. Perfect orders for Commandos."
As the houses, now deserted, petered out I saw a small wood on a gentle slope. It would be perfect. We passed a deserted farmhouse which had already been hit by a shell. Number 3 Commando were to our left with the Airborne Division to our front. We couldn't see them but we knew roughly where they were. We had plenty of grenades and ammunition as we had brought all the Bergens. It also meant that we had plenty of Tommy guns.
I led the men down to the wood. It was not large but some of the trees were thick and ancient. They would stop rifle and machine gun bullets. "Right, let's use the camouflage netting to disguise our position. Beaumont and Smith set up the PIAT. Sergeant Barker sort out the K gun. The rest of you I want as much brush and branches gathering as you can manage. Find as many logs as you can. The house yonder will have a supply of firewood. Use it to make a wall and then cover the wall. Then pile soil on the inside and outside of the logs. It will stop bullets penetrating and disguise our position. It is what the Normans did when they built their wooden castles. This will be our castle! This is now Chateau Commando! I want us hidden from view. Let's give Jerry a nasty surprise."
After taking grenades from my Bergen and attaching them to my assault jerkin I began to walk down the slope towards the road. We were on the edge of Ampreville and the German occupied village of Bréville was just a mile or so away on a ridge overlooking us. I wanted to check out the road. It was not wide and there were hedgerows running along either side. I took out my Colt as I hurried down the road towards the village, apparently held by the Germans. I saw a flag flying but I saw no grey uniforms. I had pushed my luck enough and I headed back towards the small wood. As I ascended I saw the paratroopers digging in further along the ridge. By comparison with us they were very lightly armed. What we needed was anti tank guns. I hoped that they had landed with enough.
As I approached the woods I spotted our emplacement. The barrel of the K gun could be seen and I could discern the faces of Herbert and Smith. "Lads, you need to black up and we need more foliage. I could see your faces and the machine gun. Use some of the netting in the front and put leaves in it." I pointed. "Look there is some ivy. That plant is as touch as old boots. Pull it up and put it in the net. If you put the roots in the ground it might last a few days longer."
Herbert asked, "A few days sir? We won't be here that long will we?"
"How many tanks can you see Herbert? Where are our big guns? We are the Commandos and the Airborne. We go in light. If Jerry throws anything big at us then we will be in trouble."
"What kind of heavy stuff do they have sir?"
"Hopefully they will just have the Panzer Mark IV. We met them in the desert." I saw Bill Hay nodding. "They have two machine guns and a 75mm. The front armour is three inches thi
ck. Don't even think about hitting that Beaumont."
He nodded, "The sides then sir?"
"Over an inch but a better target. The side skirts are the thinnest armour and the tracks are vulnerable." They began to realise the problem. "Davis, if you can, then a bullet through the driver's visor might upset them. But it is a hard shot and you need a perfect angle. The K gun will have to deal with the infantry. We will be outnumbered and we need to lay down a wall of fire which discourages them. Now get to it."
I dropped my own Bergen and took out more grenades. I would dearly have loved to put booby traps in front of our position but I did not know where the Airborne Division positions were. The slight slope worked to our advantage for we could throw grenades and make them explode in the air. I waved Gordy over. "There are just seven of us. I want three men on watch at all times. I will take the first one, as soon as it is dark. You take the second and Bill the third. The lads will have watch on and watch off. Give them four hours."
"What about reinforcements, sir?"
"Don't expect any help for a while. We are the flank. They will be flooding Ouistreham, Caen and all points south. We will just have to hold."
He nodded, "We have a reasonable amount of ammo but we only have dry rations."
"I will wander back up to HQ and see what they can do. You take charge here."
By the time I reached Lord Lovat's headquarters there was some semblance of order. His lordship had been summoned to Airborne's headquarters to discuss the dispositions with a liaison officer, Colonel Parker, but a Captain Macready told me about food. "Use the rations you brought ashore first. We are having a drop of supplies tomorrow. Just grab whatever you see!"
