Trench 1915, p.27
Trench 1915, page 27
“Follow me!” Kruger signaled with a wave as he led the way out of the cargo hold.
They went back through the entrance where they had come from, then up the steps. The ship started to creak and tilt to the starboard side. As the squad rushed through, they heard the sound of people panicking, screaming, and a bell ringing from above.. A sailor appeared in the hallway, stunned at the sight of German troops.
“Hey, what are-”
“Move it!” Kruger shoved the sailor aside.
The sound of metal creaking worsened and a steam pipe burst, causing rivets to fly as the boat leaned further to right. The squad stumbled a bit but kept moving.
“Which way!? Which way to the upper decks!?” Kraus cried out.
“Richtig, richtig (Right, right), now straight up,” Kruger responded as they headed up the stairs.
The ship was now touching the water on the starboard side as sailors shouted “Get to the mustering stations!” as they ran by. The squad made it out to the port side. They quickly grabbed onto the railing and climbed over.
“Where the hell is that sub!? They didn’t leave us?!” Graf cried out in anger.
“This isn’t good. We’ll have to jump!” said Kraus as he looked down.
“I can’t! Not with the intel and camera on me. They will get destroyed if sea water touches them,” Fischer declared with a worried look as he gripped the railing.
“Verdammt (Damn it)!” Kraus cried in defeat.
Along the port side of the ship the U-Boat emerged and the hatch quickly opened. The captain popped out with the grappling hook in hand and threw it hard, latching it onto the rails where the squad was now hanging.
“EILE(HURRY)! CLIMB DOWN!” the captain shouted.
Fischer went first. The squad held on to the hook as Kraus went second, then Kruger third. They all made it to the U-boat safely and Graf was ready to move, but a second explosion erupted, and the hook fell off the rail, back to the sub.
“Dive for it, Graf!” Fischer shouted out. Immediately Graf stood on the rails and performed a dive into the ocean. They heard a loud splash, but they lost sight of Graf. They looked frantically for their friend until he emerged out of the water, breathing hard.
“Danke Gott (Thank God) I learned to swim while skinny dipping in the Rhein River!” he said as he swam toward the boat where they helped him up. All were relieved.
“You better have good reason why you tried to sink us!” Graf barked at the captain, holding a tight grip on his uniform.
“The hell are you talking?! We didn’t even launch the first tube!” he answered quickly.
“Hey, look!” Kraus called out, pointing.
The remaining American soldiers were seen diving off the sinking ship and at the same time a U.S. submarine emerged. It came and picked up the survivors, then submerged quickly and the first few rafts were deployed.
“Bastards...sunk their own ship. Not good...not good for us,” said Graf as he watched the passengers jumping off the ship.
“Those poor souls did not even know what they got into,” lamented Kraus, as he took off his hat and placed it on his chest.
“For now, let’s get out of here. It’s depressing enough seeing all those poor souls drowned,” commented Fischer as he walked away and climbed down into the sub.
The three others took their hats off in respect then headed down also as the U-boat submerged. Everyone was sitting down, contemplating what had transpired. No words were said except when Graf opened his pack and pulled out a bottle filled with soda.
“Hey, I hope this helps lighten the mood. I managed to take it all before the fight. Have some guys,” Graf said and handed the first drink to Kruger then Kraus. They popped open the bottles with their knives and started drinking. Kraus drank his fill while he pulled out the piece of uniform fabric he had taken from the dead. On the front were the letters...“A.T.O.G.”
“Hey Fisch, want one? I have ten more,” Graf informed as he held the Coca-Cola bottle.
“Sure, just save one for when we get home,” Fischer said, as he grabbed the soda pop.
A week later in the interview room at the Geist Platoon HQ building in Valhalla base Fischer sat while Ltc. Steinmetz and another Geist agent sat directly across from him with pen and paper and glass of soda beverage on ice.
“That’s your report? I see. Hmm, we’re going have to accept the responsibilities as a cover despite what really happened. No doubt you are upset like your friends are. Though I do thank you for this rather...addictive gift your squad gave me,” said Ltc. Steinmetz crassly.
“Of course, Sir, and I’m not exactly upset that we’re forced to accept the blame. This is what we signed on for and nobody will know the truth of what happened. So...what’s our next mission?” Fischer inquired with a friendly smile.
Historically speaking, the RMS Lusitania did get sunk by a German U-boat, U-20. Ship personnel ignored the warnings and was cruising carelessly slow. As a result, 128 (or 124 or 114, depending on the source), Americans died, and from the two thousand passengers, eleven hundred ninety-eight perished. However, the ship’s captain, Cpt. Turner, did survive the ordeal. This shocked the people of America even though the German Embassy in New York had given an official warning about sailing through a warzone. Regardless, anger amongst the American people raged, but President Wilson kept America neutral for the time being. The German government did send an apology, still the American people were angered by the event despite forgetting that a major war was going on.
The event regarding Lusitania can be best described as conflicted. In times of war, the warring nations do what they can to warn other neutral nations’ citizens when they are embarking on a trip through contested waters. Information is provided so that those who are willing to take the risk may do so, even if it means costing them their lives in the cold waters of the Atlantic. However, others would have alternative motives, whether it is something political or a false excuse to have a reason to go to war. Perhaps with money or reason to discriminate against a certain group of people, a country would consider it a thorn in their side; possibly through anti-sentiment or discrimination. War is an unforgiving and hellish business and as the old saying goes, “Truth becomes the first casualty of war.”
CHAPTER 24
Fortezza di Montagna
May 22, 1915, Trentino near the Italian Alps
“A lot of things have happened in the past two weeks. Our celebration during Operation Grüner tag was cut short when we heard our forces were countered by the Canadians. Without a feeling of a buzz, we geared up and went back into the field in the middle of the night where we met them...the result was a significant development. Throughout the night we fought with gusto to provide our forces with time to regroup and reposition themselves while we were in the thick of it. We made the Canadians pay for every inch of ground in ten pints of blood or until we burned through our ammo and had to retreat. The squad performed very well during that instant action. The next day was different for us. We met the Canadians again but, this time attacking them at St. Julien. We performed the same tactic, marching with our prototype gas masks on. However, the enemy wasn’t expecting us in the gas, the results were quite favorable with the combined might of the imperial army behind us; we managed to drive them back causing them serious damage.
The 25th of April would bring something new for us as we faced the Crown’s colonial troops...the Indians and Gurkhas; they marched into the conflict with their nations pride on their shoulders and their turbans on top of their heads (Indians). They were easy targets for Kruger and the other rifle men. The battle was peculiar for me because they came charging at us while holding yellow flags to tell their artillery spotters their exact positions and not to shoot. We held the line steady even as our snipers and artillery had a field day. I and the assault team moved into the fray and ended up in a very bloody melee with them.
They fought aggressively while we tried to match them with our sharpened skills and even sharper bayonets. Even Graf’s Trench trooper training gave him a run for his money and damn nearly got him killed, if it wasn’t for Lothar who saved him from getting stabbed. I swear, I saw Lothar literally kill that one with one blow to the temple while wearing brass knuckles for the first time. Seeing death floating above our heads, I made the call to tactically withdraw either with our artillery or when the British started hitting our positions with shells providing cover for us. We remained in the area until the squad was pulled out...in the end getting nothing more than scrapes, bruises, and bullet grazes or two. We were disbanded much to the dismay of Major Reinhard though our combat readiness was higher than any other squad operating in the area. They were all sent away on different assignments afterwards.
In my honest opinion, I really enjoyed my time with them, aside from getting used to Brandt or having to discipline him when he tried or said anything. Me and Lothar were shipped back to Valhalla Base for some rest before our next assignment, but the next thing we knew we were back at the E.I.T.C. building training and learning the basics of a Mountaineer or alpine trooper. It was tough but we made it through thus being sent to our new base in Trentino, Austria-Hungary; the base’s name was Heimdall Base. Ironic really, because it was located on a tall flat mountain top overlooking the borders. On a last note, still held on to the blue scarf, it’s become rather...fitting.”
“Hey, Maxis. Commander Jorgensen is coming to give us our mission,” Lothar shoved and whispered.
“Oh, right.” Maxis responded as he put his journal away in his rucksack. Commander Jorgensen strode into the room with an officer following behind him. The room dimmed and a projector turned on revealing a blank white screen.
“It’s good to see you boys again. Welcome to Heimdall Base, our overwatch in the mountains. Next to me is the commanding officer of this base, Major Weiss. Private, start the briefing,” said Commander Jorgensen, as an image and a title appeared on the screen.
“Gentlemen, you will commence Operation Vesuvius. Geist platoon agents came back with damning intel. We learned that Italy will declare war on Austria-Hungary soon. Italy took notice of the Habsburg failures of the past few months and has convinced our old Triple Alliance friend to think they can switch sides and fight for the Triple Entente. Despite the Italians’ effort to offer a resolution for the Habsburgs to relinquish some territory, but not that the Austrian hierarchy would be smart enough to say “yes”, which leads us to this. Next slide.”
An image of the mountain range is shown though with black smoke appearing over one of the mountains.
“A recon plane detachment from the Blue Tails has reported strange occurrences in the Italian Alps. After a flyby they noticed smoke emerging from the horizon. At first, they thought it could be nothing, until they came in for a closer look and saw this. Next slide.”
The image revealed a tall mountain peak, but something was different indeed.
“Last I checked, mountains don’t have a fortress and mountain guns on the side of them. There was also smoke coming out of pipes as if there was a factory or something built inside, not to mention a wide dirt road leading to what appears to be an entrance to the mountain. The last thing they reported was that they saw a window panel near the top. Perhaps someone’s office, and that matters. Next slide.”
The next slide showed a map of the pathways in the area.
“I’ll leave the explanation of your objectives to Major Weiss. I need to go back to Valhalla. Goodluck on your mission men, lebewohl (farewell),” bid Commander Jorgensen as he exited the briefing room.
“Thank you, Commander. Men, if this place is a factory or a new type of fortress then the mission is the same, destroy it. You’ll be deployed to this area here near the Italian border and from there you will link up with one of our alpine troopers, Pvt. Jonas Steiner. He will lead you through a secret passage. There you will traverse high and low through the Alps until you reach your current objective. Infiltrate the enemy base, collect intel, and destroy it. Since they will declare war on Austria-Hungary and not with us, you must remain incognito to the enemy. Thus, your winter coats will not have any German markings. The duration should take about a day. We know of both of your reputations and we hope you’ll live up to them. Any questions?” asked Major Weiss with a Bavarian accent as he walked in front of the screen.
“What about my pickelhaube wouldn’t that raise suspicion?” Maxis asked.
“Nein, the Austro-Hungarians have a similar helmet design like ours. The Italians will be none the wiser.”
“Will the mess hall be serving any fine Italian cuisine?” quipped Lothar.
“How is that related to your mission, Corporal?” The Major looked at Lothar with annoyance.
“Excuse the corporal here, Major. He hasn’t been eating anything but rations during E.I.T.C. training for weeks,” Maxis interjected respectfully.
“Hmph...anyway go to the quartermaster to retrieve your climbing gear and report to the truck when you are ready to embark on your mission. Dismissed!” Major Weiss finished.
Maxis and Lothar got up, saluted, and walked toward the door. They entered the hallway, but before they continued any further Maxis stopped Lothar for a moment.
“Fine Italian cuisine, really?”
“Come on, Maxis. I’ve been eating those rations for weeks now. I couldn’t help myself but to ask. Cut me some slack,” Lothar said, looking down.
“Sigh...I understand what you mean. Tell you what, if we finish this mission quickly, I’ll bet we can find an Italian restaurant in Selzen,” Maxis said with a cheery look.
“Don’t get my hopes up, Max.”
“No really. I read on the bulletin board in Valhalla base there was one opening in Selzen.”
“You’re sure? Alright then, I’ll suffer a little longer on these canned rations.” Lothar raised his head.
“That’s the spirit,” said Maxis and patted Lothar’s back.
The duo moved on until they reached the door. They opened it only to be met with a cold strong wind blowing in their faces. Around them was a familiar sight but much different background. The base was filled with lodges, tents, and metal huts. Soldiers were putting up more tents while others hauled in military equipment by horse drawn wagons and trucks. There was a platoon of K.W.S. soldiers marching in formation that passed by the HQ building, then another came by, double-timing it and singing a cadence with Feldwebel (Sergeant) moving beside them. The cadence was strongly lead by the Feldwebel fast and steady and each time he finished a verse, a strong “Hurra!” was shouted from the platoon.
“We are marching into battle and give a...”
“HURRA”
“We march in front of the Kaiser and give a...”
“HURRA!”
“We fight for our homeland (taps 3x) ...we’re going into combat (taps 3x) ...Marching pass the Mädchen (girls) and give a...”
“HURRA!”
“We’re the K.W.S. Battalion and we shout out...”
“HURRA!”
“The Commander stands and watches, while we give a...”
“HURRA!”
“Princess Victoria, the Colonel of the Hussar, she stands there, and she praises while we give a...”
“HURRA!”
“We march till the wars end (taps 3x) ...We march till it’s over (taps 3x).”
The platoon marched away, their cadence sounding more distant. Another cold breeze blows in.
“Brrrr, why on earth did they place the new base on top of a flat mountain? The cold wind is too much, downright dreadful,” complained Lothar, sounding annoyed.
“It’s funny really, even though we are used to the winters in Germany, we have trouble adapting to this new environment. It is very different than fighting in the woods or the trenches. The only challenge here is conquering the high cliffs of Italy. And the mountain sickness,” pondered. Maxis in his thoughts.
They continued toward the quartermaster’s tent, passing by rows of armored cars, artillery, machine guns, and even another platoon of soldiers performing P.T. (Physical Training). The base was quite busy preparing for the call to action as they waited for Italy’s declaration of war.
The two managed to find the quartermaster after searching around the encampment. Maxis and Lothar entered and found none other than Hugo Heinrich sitting at his desk reading a book. He immediately jumped to his feet after noticing the duo standing there in front of him.
“Well, if it isn’t the eccentric gun enthusiast Quartermaster Heinrich who honors us with his presences,” said Lothar with sarcasm, then bowed.
“Quite the honorary title you gave me Corporal, though I doubt you are here for small talk or flattery. Nein, you are here for your weapons and gear since you have a mission, ja?” asked Heinrich with a smile, pointing toward his wares.
“You are on the ball; we’ll have the usuals including some hiking gear as well,” said Maxis.
“Well, good. It’s been a while Sergeant, not since that whole Russian tricycle tank event or whatever you called it. I see you kept the blue scarf that you were given by my protégé. It suits you. Nice chitchat. Now let’s get down to business, shall we?” said Heinrich as he walked around the corner of a stack of crates. He returned while wheeling a cart with two crates on it.
“Alright, one crate for Cpl. Lothar. It contains a Luger P08 carbine, your standard infantry gear, hiking gear, scabbard knife, balaclava mask to keep your face warm, stick grenades, and a special package I’m not at liberty to say because it’s a surprise and new to the list. Here is a Gaede stalhelm (frontal head armor). They recently approved its use for the Battalion which means added protection. Oh, before I forget, here is your winter coat since you’re shivering like a skeleton.”
“Thanks, Heinrich,” Lothar said, relieved as he took the coat and his gear.
“Here’s yours as well, Sergeant. I do have a spare wrap that you can take...I’ll put it in your crate. Speaking of which, here is your loadout. A Mauser C96 scoped carbine with a cone hammer, also easy to dissemble, one sawback bayonet and scabbard knife, standard infantry gear, bandolier, three Kugel(ball) grenades, and a special package as well, along with several modified time charges shaped like jam cans and some hiking gear. The time charge is well-packed and with enough fire power to destroy a hill, so be careful with. It will start ringing when the timer is set and the fuse is lit,” Heinrich finished.
