Soldiers and Marines Saga, page 45
“Resend this message as a flash message from me to the commanders of all NATO units on the Delta list,” I ordered one of the staff colonels. “And add the following.”
“Intense attacks expected on all fronts to dilute the air support available for the new northern front. All units should expect reduced air support and adjust plans accordingly. All units to maintain highest possible favorable casualty ratios and continue prisoner releases.”
“Follow it up with a message to my deputies and the three frontal commanders and their deputies to join a command conference call in fifteen minutes, uh, at 0314.” I’ve got to give them time to pass the word and alert their troops.
Then I told the staff brigadier on duty, a French officer who had previously commanded a Legion regiment and, as it turns out, served in a trench close to mine at the debacle at Dien Bien Phu, to respond to the flash message with a flash inquiry of my own back to NSA.
“What indications of severity of simultaneous attacks central and southern fronts? What indications of enemy air intentions?”
Less than a minute later a similarly sleepy Klausen nodded as he entered the room. I slid the flash message and my responses to him so he could read them while we wait for the others to join our conference call.
“This is good news,” Otto says. “Could it be a trick to divert our planes and cause us to hold our reserves for use in the north while they try to break through in the center or south? Nein. I don’t think so.”
I agree. I think the purpose of the new attacks in the center and south is to increase the pressure on us everywhere so we won’t reinforce the north. And that’s good because we are going to deliberately allow ourselves to be pushed back in the north.
At 0312 a British lieutenant waved his hand and Otto and I both picked up our phones. Almost immediately the line pinged twice in rapid succession and Macefield and Peavy announced they were on the line with us. Pug Murphy, the Marine commandant, came on a few seconds later along with the three frontal commanders.
“Gentlemen,” I began, “intelligence reports the Warsaw Pact will launch a major offensive towards Hannover this morning right after dawn at approximately 0558. The offensive will occur all along the northeastern border and be focused on Dannenberg and Luneburg.”
“Your response, as we have discussed previously, will be N5. Please inform your commands immediately and rejoin this call at 0333. Also request confirmation from each of your units that your attack warning has been received.”
N5 means each front line unit commander is to concentrate on achieving highly positive casualty ratios rather than holding land. It frees them to engage the enemy as he sees fit and to withdraw so that anticipated attacks fall on vacant positions. In other words, N5 means their goal is to achieve highly positive casualty ratios, not hold territory.
Why did I send the message to all units and then ask each of the commanders to send a second message and get a confirmation of its receipt? Because years ago I read General Marshall’s biography about what happened on December Seventh when he and the other American commanders knew, because we had broken the Japanese diplomatic code, that the Japanese would be attacking Pearl Harbor. Each assumed the ships and army air force units at Pearl Harbor had been adequately warned by someone else and never checked to make sure they had received the warning. They hadn’t.
“I’m pleased that Ivanov is finally moving in the north but I wonder why he didn’t wait to see if we would move some of our forces south in response to their attacks into Austria and the Danube Valley?”
I think I know why Ivanov moved up his timetable but I want Klausen’s opinion.
Klausen reflected for a moment and said, “Perhaps, Herr Generaldoktor, they have received intelligence, or concluded, that we will not weaken the northern front in order to reinforce the center and the south. It is more likely, however, that they are getting desperate for a breakthrough and the purpose of the attack is to spread out our air support and put more pressure on us everywhere while they still can.” He’s right.
“Herr Generaldoktor,” a German general staff colonel interrupte, “a representative of the President and the Security Council just called. They will meet at 0415 zulu time and request you and your deputies join them on the secure line.”
I nodded a sleepy “yes” and asked for coffee and breakfast for General Klausen and myself and a situation summary briefing immediately after the 0415 conference call concludes. “Also please ask my orderly to have a bucket of hot water, a wash cloth, and a change of clothes by my cot when the briefing concludes.”
I would have liked to have completed my first sleep cycle with another hour of sleep but, what the hell, at least no one’s shooting at me.
“Jawohl, Herr Generaldoktor,” the colonel said with a click of his heels. It’s going to be a long day. I wonder if little Chris is gaining weight.
“Get the Northern Group corps and division commanders standing by for a conference call,” I ordered the French brigadier. “Be ready to patch them in but wait for my order.” In less than a minute the brigadier nodded and mouthed “Ready.” I held up my hand, nodded, and mouthed “Okay.”
******
Everyone was on the line when Klausen and I picked up our phones for the conference call with the northern commanders. I immediately confirmed what the three corps commanders have already been repeatedly told—the goal of their units remains highly favorable casualty ratios and prisoner releases, not the holding of land.
Then I asked if anyone has any specific concerns or needs. There were none other than the usual inquiries about the availability of air support and the usual requests for more attack helicopters and more anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
The commanders’ lack of specific concerns or needs is not surprising. For days we’ve been actively discussing the best way to respond when and if the North is finally invaded. Any flag officer or unit commander who is uncertain about what to do at this point is in the wrong business.
Jim Macefield addressed the concerns about air support by stating that he will order his entire inventory to immediately begin a maximum effort in the north to destroy the units concentrated for the ground invasion and their air support. They will not wait for dawn. Klausen followed Jim by assuring everyone that he has already issued similar orders to our companies of attack helicopters. These are exactly the responses Ivanov will expect. Now let’s hope he takes the bait.
I wrapped up the conference call by noting that the fact the Russians appear to be waiting for daylight to commence their attack is a strong indication we are winning the air war and confirms we have achieved air supremacy during the hours of darkness.
“Please pass that fact on to all your commanders and ask them to inform their troops. Also please let them know we have already knocked out many of the bridges the Russians need for their supplies and reinforcements.” We want our men to know we are doing well and there is no reason for panic despite the Russians and East Germans launching their new offensive.
As soon as the call ended I asked Klausen to also call our units in the center and south with the same message and again warn them that they are likely to have less helicopter and air support available for at least the next forty-eight hours, and maybe longer.
******
The detailed briefings at noon were encouraging. We have given up little or no ground in the center and in the south in the past twenty-four hours and last night’s airborne drops on the refineries and pipelines were apparently highly successful in the face of minimal opposition. If the intelligence reports are correct, we are inflicting an unsustainable level of casualties on the Russians and East Germans, both in the air and on the ground. I wonder if they even thought about the pipelines and power plants.
Even better, intelligence from NSA and our photo interpreters confirms that the loss of the bridges has already dramatically reduced the flow of supplies and reinforcements reaching their front line units. So far, so good – if it’s true.
After a quick trip to the latrine and motioning for another cup of coffee, I picked up my phone and waited for the regularly scheduled conference call with the President to begin. I was humming one of the Legion songs to myself when the President came on the line. My mood is good. It’s afternoon here; morning in Washington.
“Good morning, Mr. President. Chris Roberts here. I am on the line with the NATO air, ground, and naval commanders and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.”
“Good Morning, General Roberts. Gentlemen.”
“Ah. General Roberts, General Spelling just briefed us on last night’s attacks on the Warsaw Pact refineries and pipelines. We are concerned, however, about this morning’s invasion of Northern Germany. What is your evaluation of the situation?”
“As you know Mr. President, we have been expecting it. Actually, from a purely military point of view we see it as rather encouraging, both because it came so quickly and because it began during the hours of daylight when they still have planes left that can still dispute our control of the air.”
“In other words, General, you see it as a sign of their desperation instead of an indication of their success and confidence?”
“Exactly so, Mr. President. I couldn’t have stated it any better.” Did you notice that? I’m turning into a politician.
Then I continued.
“It’s still early days, Mr. President, but it is my opinion, and I believe that of our commanders, that General Ivanov and the Russian Politburo are finally becoming aware of how extensively we have cut their supply lines. This may have been forced them to change their timetable, to move it up. We think they are desperately attempting to make something happen while they still have enough supplies and aircraft left.”
What I’m telling you Mr. President, is that we’ve got the bastards by the balls and they know it.
“That’s good to know, General, that things are going well, I mean. It may make it easier for me to get supplies and equipment from other nations. So far the response has been excellent. Why just within the past twenty-four hours South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Israel again offered to send more supplies and equipment. South Korea even offered troops.”
“That’s helpful, Mr. President, please accept all their offers and encourage them to send even more. Anything they can send us will be useful and greatly appreciated. It would be particularly helpful if they would send attack helicopters and volunteers to operate them. More air to air missiles and handheld anti-tank missiles would be helpful as well.”
I’m not going to ask, but I really don’t understand why our doing well makes it easier to get aid from our allies.
Then we all listened as the folks in Washington reconfirmed and explained to each other the significance of the damage we have inflicted on the Warsaw Pacts’ bridges and other infrastructure. The inane chattering ran on and on. For God’s sake stop talking and let us get back to the war.
At about one o’clock, after the call with the President and the National Security Council finally ended, Klausen gave me a fast rundown on the three divisions he visited yesterday. He is concerned about the leadership of one of the German Divisions in the south, the 33rd.
“Do whatever you think should be done and do it quickly,” was my unnecessary counsel. In other words, replace that guy right now.
Today Klausen will remain at headquarters while I visit some of our divisions in the central sector, the ones I intended to visit yesterday before my plans changed as a result of getting word about the impending the attack in the north. Tonight at nine, if I am back by then, we will get the first two minute summary “call-in” presentations from the “inspection” officers, all combat arms majors, we have been sending out to visit the front line battalions of each of the divisions. If I’m not back, Klausen and the Commandant, if he is available, will listen to them without me. They know what we need to know.
I’ve got a real smart American brigadier, Buster Jones, heading the team that coordinates the visits and keeps track of the units being visited. I can count on Buster. He’s a black guy with gimpy knees as a result of playing fullback for Michigan and getting blown up in Afghanistan. His inspection officers will be going right back out over and over again, and calling in reports every twenty-four hours, until the war ends.
****** Willie Ross
This company commander shit ain’t easy. I initially told my five Pattons to begin withdrawing as soon as they can take down their camouflage nets and to load as many grenadiers as they can carry. But then, after talking it over with Sieman and Feucht, I agreed with them that it would be better if the grenadiers walk instead of riding on the tanks as they plow their way through the trees—because the tree branches might knock them off in the dark. We also decided to wait for an hour so Feucht and his men can move their bikes up here.
While we are waiting for Feucht and his men to return with their bikes I discovered, quite by accident, that the Germans have not eaten since yesterday morning. Oh Fuck. So I radioed battalion and asked them to send up a lot of extra rations with the ammo resupply I’ve been promised. Then I got on the radio and told my tank commanders to pass out everything they have right now while we’re waiting for Feucht and his skirmishers to return. We can’t have these guys leaving to get food; we need’em here.
Each of our surviving tanks still has a couple of cases of C-rations strapped on its cargo rails so each of the grenadiers is able to get a taste and a couple of cans and pouches to carry while we waited for the skirmishers to bring up their bikes. I also suggested to Sieman that he send a couple of his guys out to our knocked-out tanks to see if the ration boxes that were riding on them are usable.
It’s a good thing the Germans are hungry. All we’ve got are the “advanced” C-rations which are old and awful. Next time I’m gonna pack some BBQ sauce.
While we’re waiting for the skirmishers to return a message came over the battalion net telling us about the northern invasion and warning us to expect a major assault and limited air support. Whoa. It’s also damn lucky that Sieman’s guys ran into the Russians in the woods and we didn’t move forward.
Feucht’s skirmishers were slow in bringing their bikes back through the trees. They can’t see because the night is particularly dark with no moon and there is an overcast sky. Finally, he must have told his men turn on their headlights so they could see their way through the trees. It’s damn dark here. We could see their lights flickering as they came through the trees towards us. And, as it turned out, they could also be seen by at least one Russian mortar crew in the trees across the way.
I’m just thinking how dumb it is to show the lights when the telltale “whumps” of mortars can be heard from across the way.
At least twenty guys scream “incoming” in German and dive for their holes. I go under my Patton with three or four Germans.
All the mortar rounds went long and to the north.
Feucht and his skirmishers finally get back to our lines a little before 0300. I quickly tell him about the warning message and then, with our cannon barrels reversed, the five tanks of my Delta Company begin banging our way through the trees to move back.
About half an hour later we got clear of the trees and stopped for a minute so some of the grenadiers can climb on. They can ride now that there is less chance of being swept off by a tree limb.
There wasn’t enough room on the tanks for everybody so Sieman and some of his men followed us on foot as best they can as we rumbled across the open area in the darkness. According to my map, the next stand of trees is about four kilometers ahead of us even if we can’t see it in the dark.
We crossed the open area, detoured around a stone farmhouse that stood in the middle of it, and finally reached the tree line and moved into it just before the first light of dawn. And not a moment too soon.
I was just starting to relax a bit, knowing that Feucht and his skirmishers are in front of us either in our old position in the trees or at the farm house if they’ve already pulled back. That’s important because it means we’d have plenty of warning in the event of an attack. That’s when the shit hits the fan. Warsaw Pact artillery, probably Russian since the troops and armor who have been in front of us seem to be Russian, began pounding the forested area in front of us that we just left. After about ten minutes later it switched and began falling on the old farmhouse and the open area around it. Oh shit. Poor Feucht.
Right after dawn there are the sounds of more explosions across the way on the other side of the trees in front of us, the ones we just left. And a big plumes of dirty black smoke begins to rise from somewhere in front of us. What they hell did they hit? Weren’t nothin there.
About ten minutes later there is movement coming towards us in the open area in front of the trees we’re in. It’s Feucht and some of his men are riding double. One of them is riding triple with the second rider holding a third over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.
I blinked my tank’s lights even though it was daylight; and they veered towards us and rushed into the woods to our positions. The two grenadier medics and some of the German troops began instantly treating the groaning and wincing wounded. The man being carried was beyond help.
Feucht pulled up and skidded to a stop in front of me and Otto with a bit of a flair and a smile. His enthusiasm about being here is quite impressive under the circumstances; I just wanna go home and I’m sure Otto does too.
As the three of us hurriedly looked at the map together Feucht reported the loss of six of his men killed or wounded. He says they destroyed three T-62s and two BTR armored personnel carriers before they pulled back. Including himself, Feucht says he has fourteen men and eight Israeli anti-tank missiles left. And he still has one of the nifty new Israeli hand-held SAMs.
