Post by mpowers8 on Sept 24, 2004 5:42:06 GMT
“Deutsman, report to the Sergeant at the supply tent,” the call came from down the line.
Private Karl Deutsman stood from where he had been trying to free a stripped nut from an Opel wheel face, and trotted towards where he had been told to go. As he was nearing the half-erected camouflage net he noticed Sergeant Cruz standing at ease and watching his approach. For once, the rumors must have been true. “Deutsman reporting as ordered Sergeant.”<br>
“Grab your gear, you’re with us now.” Cruz said, lighting a cigarette and nodding back where the vehicles were parked, “don’t forget your tools either, might need them.”<br>
“I will need a hand Sergeant,” Deutsman said, turning to the tent that housed the rest of the enlisted men assigned to vehicle duty and the motor pool. “I got wind of this exchange last night and went over to the panzers for a friendly game of hearts, got a few special items you might be interested in.”<br>
Cruz nodded, taking a long drag from his cigarette, then started to follow him. “Better be worthwhile, the Lieutenant is waiting on us.”<br>
Deutsman didn’t reply, just opened the tent flap into the interior where several cots were lined up in a more or less orderly fashion. The morning sun was already working on the dark green canvas of the tent walls and turning the interior very warm. The smell of oil, from the waterproofed fabric of the tent and the soiled clothes of the mechanics, was thick in the air. Walking to the last of the cots he knelt down and threw his wool blanket aside, revealing a long rectangular wooden ammunition box with panzer korps markings. Even with rope handles, it didn’t appear to be easily moved. Sliding it from under the cot Deutsman freed the lid and pushed pine shavings out of the way of the contents. In neat rows, still in their loading sleeves, were 200 rounds of 20mm high explosive rounds. “I knew the tanks had all the best ammo, but figured it would be a little better than just having AP with all the partisans running around the woods making trouble for us.”<br>
“I like you Deutsman,” Cruz said simply as he knelt down and freed one of the ten round sleeves and hefted it. A small red ring, just over the brass cartridge, indicated the explosive nature of the round as opposed to the solid steel his vehicle was normally allotted. Much better against troops, but more expensive, the ammunition was never given to reconnaissance units, but was instead allocated to the armored units exclusively. “This all the extra stuff you have?” Sergeant Cruz asked, replacing the ammunition and crushing his cigarette under his boot.
“Yes Sergeant,” Deutsman replied, looking a little nervous. “There was some schnapps, but I had to use it to bribe my way into the hearts game, and my tools are in with the ammunition.”<br>
“d**n Deutsman, that could have been an instant promotion, but that will just have to wait wont it?”<br>
“Yes Sergeant, I suppose it will.”<br>
Deutsman’s field gear included his rifle, helmet and pack, all of which he wrapped in a second blanket, and threw on the wooden box so both of them could carry it more easily. As they were about to head out he reached under the cot and removed a cloth wrapped tube, which he very carefully placed under his blouse before moving out. As he lifted the box he noticed the Sergeant giving his blouse an odd look, as if trying to see through it and into the tube. “It’s a magnifier Sergeant, a very nice rifle scope, I brought it from home. My father used it in the Great War.”<br>
“I’ll let you know if there is someone I don’t like around here, you do the honors for me okay?” Cruz grunted as they began moving with the box.
“Thank you for letting me come with the forward element Sergeant,” Deutsman managed through a little heavy breathing as they made their way to Little Mule. “I have always felt that working in the motor pool was not for me.”<br>
“I’ll check back with you the first time we have to pry a bullet out of your brave ass about where you’d rather be Private,” Cruz said with a smile. “Sneaking around in front of a loud, very aggressive mob of armor is not a healthy profession. Just ask Oliver.”<br>
“Who is Oliver Sergeant?” Deutsman asked, trying not to let relief show in his voice as they were finally in sight of the parked scout car.
“The gunner you are replacing,” Cruz said, dropping his end of the box as they got under the cammo net near Little Mule.
“Oh,” Deutsman replied, feeling a little awkward talking about the dead.
“Get yourself acquainted with the mule Private, and stow your gear in the turret and in the bags mounted on the rear of the car. If you can’t fit everything, it’s history. I’m going to see if the Lieutenant needs anything.” With this, Cruz walked away, leaving Deutsman alone with his gear and the strange vehicle.
‘What have I gotten myself into?’ Karl wondered as he started stowing his gear as he had been told.
…<br>
Cruz ran into his Lieutenant half way between the mule and the fuel dump. Eichmann lifted a hand in greeting as the Sergeant joined him on his walk back to their car. “Deutsman is all packed up and ready to go Sir.”<br>
“Glad to hear it, we are cleared to refuel on the way out, and can swap out our water cans too. Looks like we are out of here in less than half an hour,” Eichmann said while looking at his watch. “What do you think of the new gunner?”<br>
“He is eager, appears good at finding supplies and if he is competent at gunnery I would say acceptable.” Cruz stopped walking as they were getting close to where the vehicle was parked.
“Good to hear,” Eichmann said, stopping with his Sergeant and looking back over the awakening camp. “I don’t like that we have been stalled this long. Any more delays like this and it’s winter in Russia for sure.” Cruz looked over and shivered unconsciously. “You can say that again,” Eichmann replied with a smile.
As the two men approached Little Mule Deutsman scrambled out of the rear engine compartment and hastily started to salute. Sergeant Cruz casually reached out and slapped the Private’s hand away from his brow, “not in the field with snipers possible.” Sheepishly Deutsman nodded and stood at attention, “Private Erik Deutsman reporting as ordered Sir.”<br>
“Do you have everything you need Private?” The Lieutenant asked, walking a circle around the rigid soldier.
“Yes Sir, we brought it all up and I have put it on the car as I was told to.”<br>
“Good,” Eichmann said, coming to a stop in front of the young man. “It is good to know the Wehrmacht is still churning out those capable of following simple instructions.”<br>
“It is Sir,” Deutsman replied smartly. Behind him, Cruz cupped his face with a hand to hide his smile.
“Good, we are heading out in ten minutes, have you checked over the car to ensure it is in working order?” Eichmann asked.
“Yes Sir, all was as it should be, but there is no lubricant for the Kwk30 or the MG34 and with all the dust that could be a problem in the future.”<br>
“Noted Private, thank you.” Eichmann looked at his Sergeant, “give the Private the same brief we had and make sure he has a map too, just in case the two of us forget how to navigate. We leave in,” he paused to look at his watch, “Nine minutes.”<br>
“Run to the Command Post Deutsman,” Cruz said, taking his case out and spreading the marked map across the hood of the car. “Get a map and a map case and get back here as fast as you can. Don’t forget your rifle and helmet, they are jackasses up there. If you aren’t back before we leave, I’ll shoot you myself when I get back.”<br>
His eyes wide, Deutsman scrambled to get all of his gear together and practically flew out of the vehicle enclosure and into the main camp towards the CP. When he was out of sight both men started laughing. “I hope I was never that bad,” Eichmann said, whipping tears from the corner of his eyes. Cruz looked at him and shook his head, “You might have been worse Sir.”<br>
“There is no way,” Eichmann started, but Cruz already had the photo out of them in Paris. The very young Lieutenant in that photograph was wearing his uniform cap at a horribly rakish angle, and it was easy to see the confidence he was trying to exude while taking a picture with several of the enlisted men. “Well, perhaps you have a small point.”<br>
“Point made, point taken,” Cruz said, putting the photograph back in his pack and checking over his MP40 and other gear.
“Here comes our boy now, he really is flying, looks like he might pass out though,” Eichmann sat down in the passenger seat and started to situate his map and compass for easy access during the drive.
Deutsman scrambled to a stop, the map case flailing wildly against his back as dust billowed in after him. “Back Sergeant!” He called out, looking as if he were about to loose his battle with hyperventilation and collapse.
“Good, get your ass over here with that map, and you had better be able to use a d**n compass,” Cruz said gruffly, getting out of the driver’s seat and walking to the front of the vehicle.
Private Karl Deutsman stood from where he had been trying to free a stripped nut from an Opel wheel face, and trotted towards where he had been told to go. As he was nearing the half-erected camouflage net he noticed Sergeant Cruz standing at ease and watching his approach. For once, the rumors must have been true. “Deutsman reporting as ordered Sergeant.”<br>
“Grab your gear, you’re with us now.” Cruz said, lighting a cigarette and nodding back where the vehicles were parked, “don’t forget your tools either, might need them.”<br>
“I will need a hand Sergeant,” Deutsman said, turning to the tent that housed the rest of the enlisted men assigned to vehicle duty and the motor pool. “I got wind of this exchange last night and went over to the panzers for a friendly game of hearts, got a few special items you might be interested in.”<br>
Cruz nodded, taking a long drag from his cigarette, then started to follow him. “Better be worthwhile, the Lieutenant is waiting on us.”<br>
Deutsman didn’t reply, just opened the tent flap into the interior where several cots were lined up in a more or less orderly fashion. The morning sun was already working on the dark green canvas of the tent walls and turning the interior very warm. The smell of oil, from the waterproofed fabric of the tent and the soiled clothes of the mechanics, was thick in the air. Walking to the last of the cots he knelt down and threw his wool blanket aside, revealing a long rectangular wooden ammunition box with panzer korps markings. Even with rope handles, it didn’t appear to be easily moved. Sliding it from under the cot Deutsman freed the lid and pushed pine shavings out of the way of the contents. In neat rows, still in their loading sleeves, were 200 rounds of 20mm high explosive rounds. “I knew the tanks had all the best ammo, but figured it would be a little better than just having AP with all the partisans running around the woods making trouble for us.”<br>
“I like you Deutsman,” Cruz said simply as he knelt down and freed one of the ten round sleeves and hefted it. A small red ring, just over the brass cartridge, indicated the explosive nature of the round as opposed to the solid steel his vehicle was normally allotted. Much better against troops, but more expensive, the ammunition was never given to reconnaissance units, but was instead allocated to the armored units exclusively. “This all the extra stuff you have?” Sergeant Cruz asked, replacing the ammunition and crushing his cigarette under his boot.
“Yes Sergeant,” Deutsman replied, looking a little nervous. “There was some schnapps, but I had to use it to bribe my way into the hearts game, and my tools are in with the ammunition.”<br>
“d**n Deutsman, that could have been an instant promotion, but that will just have to wait wont it?”<br>
“Yes Sergeant, I suppose it will.”<br>
Deutsman’s field gear included his rifle, helmet and pack, all of which he wrapped in a second blanket, and threw on the wooden box so both of them could carry it more easily. As they were about to head out he reached under the cot and removed a cloth wrapped tube, which he very carefully placed under his blouse before moving out. As he lifted the box he noticed the Sergeant giving his blouse an odd look, as if trying to see through it and into the tube. “It’s a magnifier Sergeant, a very nice rifle scope, I brought it from home. My father used it in the Great War.”<br>
“I’ll let you know if there is someone I don’t like around here, you do the honors for me okay?” Cruz grunted as they began moving with the box.
“Thank you for letting me come with the forward element Sergeant,” Deutsman managed through a little heavy breathing as they made their way to Little Mule. “I have always felt that working in the motor pool was not for me.”<br>
“I’ll check back with you the first time we have to pry a bullet out of your brave ass about where you’d rather be Private,” Cruz said with a smile. “Sneaking around in front of a loud, very aggressive mob of armor is not a healthy profession. Just ask Oliver.”<br>
“Who is Oliver Sergeant?” Deutsman asked, trying not to let relief show in his voice as they were finally in sight of the parked scout car.
“The gunner you are replacing,” Cruz said, dropping his end of the box as they got under the cammo net near Little Mule.
“Oh,” Deutsman replied, feeling a little awkward talking about the dead.
“Get yourself acquainted with the mule Private, and stow your gear in the turret and in the bags mounted on the rear of the car. If you can’t fit everything, it’s history. I’m going to see if the Lieutenant needs anything.” With this, Cruz walked away, leaving Deutsman alone with his gear and the strange vehicle.
‘What have I gotten myself into?’ Karl wondered as he started stowing his gear as he had been told.
…<br>
Cruz ran into his Lieutenant half way between the mule and the fuel dump. Eichmann lifted a hand in greeting as the Sergeant joined him on his walk back to their car. “Deutsman is all packed up and ready to go Sir.”<br>
“Glad to hear it, we are cleared to refuel on the way out, and can swap out our water cans too. Looks like we are out of here in less than half an hour,” Eichmann said while looking at his watch. “What do you think of the new gunner?”<br>
“He is eager, appears good at finding supplies and if he is competent at gunnery I would say acceptable.” Cruz stopped walking as they were getting close to where the vehicle was parked.
“Good to hear,” Eichmann said, stopping with his Sergeant and looking back over the awakening camp. “I don’t like that we have been stalled this long. Any more delays like this and it’s winter in Russia for sure.” Cruz looked over and shivered unconsciously. “You can say that again,” Eichmann replied with a smile.
As the two men approached Little Mule Deutsman scrambled out of the rear engine compartment and hastily started to salute. Sergeant Cruz casually reached out and slapped the Private’s hand away from his brow, “not in the field with snipers possible.” Sheepishly Deutsman nodded and stood at attention, “Private Erik Deutsman reporting as ordered Sir.”<br>
“Do you have everything you need Private?” The Lieutenant asked, walking a circle around the rigid soldier.
“Yes Sir, we brought it all up and I have put it on the car as I was told to.”<br>
“Good,” Eichmann said, coming to a stop in front of the young man. “It is good to know the Wehrmacht is still churning out those capable of following simple instructions.”<br>
“It is Sir,” Deutsman replied smartly. Behind him, Cruz cupped his face with a hand to hide his smile.
“Good, we are heading out in ten minutes, have you checked over the car to ensure it is in working order?” Eichmann asked.
“Yes Sir, all was as it should be, but there is no lubricant for the Kwk30 or the MG34 and with all the dust that could be a problem in the future.”<br>
“Noted Private, thank you.” Eichmann looked at his Sergeant, “give the Private the same brief we had and make sure he has a map too, just in case the two of us forget how to navigate. We leave in,” he paused to look at his watch, “Nine minutes.”<br>
“Run to the Command Post Deutsman,” Cruz said, taking his case out and spreading the marked map across the hood of the car. “Get a map and a map case and get back here as fast as you can. Don’t forget your rifle and helmet, they are jackasses up there. If you aren’t back before we leave, I’ll shoot you myself when I get back.”<br>
His eyes wide, Deutsman scrambled to get all of his gear together and practically flew out of the vehicle enclosure and into the main camp towards the CP. When he was out of sight both men started laughing. “I hope I was never that bad,” Eichmann said, whipping tears from the corner of his eyes. Cruz looked at him and shook his head, “You might have been worse Sir.”<br>
“There is no way,” Eichmann started, but Cruz already had the photo out of them in Paris. The very young Lieutenant in that photograph was wearing his uniform cap at a horribly rakish angle, and it was easy to see the confidence he was trying to exude while taking a picture with several of the enlisted men. “Well, perhaps you have a small point.”<br>
“Point made, point taken,” Cruz said, putting the photograph back in his pack and checking over his MP40 and other gear.
“Here comes our boy now, he really is flying, looks like he might pass out though,” Eichmann sat down in the passenger seat and started to situate his map and compass for easy access during the drive.
Deutsman scrambled to a stop, the map case flailing wildly against his back as dust billowed in after him. “Back Sergeant!” He called out, looking as if he were about to loose his battle with hyperventilation and collapse.
“Good, get your ass over here with that map, and you had better be able to use a d**n compass,” Cruz said gruffly, getting out of the driver’s seat and walking to the front of the vehicle.