Battle for Stalingrad (PT, RP, IC, OPEN)

[Cornelius Dominion]

"March to Stalingrad Comrades !" Shouted by Lieutenant Botov as they marched to the already besieged Stalingrad. "I don't have any cigarette comrade, do you have any ?" asked by a young soldier to his comrade, "Son, aren't you too young to smoke ?" asked by the oldest soldier in the company, "Haha no pops, im already 20 years old !" responded the young lad as Lieutenant Botov overheard their somewhat funny conversation which reminds him of peacefulness in his city of Volgograd. They marched and marched until they could reach Stalingrad, in the memories of the other comrade that traveled there it was good and pleasing to the eye, wherein now it is full of chaos,death and only war. The Company A saw many amputated,injured and commonly dead comrade in arms. "Those Nazi bastards ! We'll give those bastards hell !" One comrade exclaims at the bloody sights they saw as they march to the frontlines.

OCC:Um when is the command will be given ?

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

6th A.O.K.
Orders 2-SEPT-42
Generalfeldmarschall Paulus

Soldiers of the 6th army you have fought well over the past few days. Thanks to the effort of the 384th ID we have taken the Radio Station, and now the 384th and 305th shall continue to push into the docks. The assault on Hill 107, may not be a resounding victory, but thanks to our allies the romanians, we did break through the defense, and the Hill should be ours by the end of the following days. The Main body of the 6th army has arrived in the form of the LI Army Korps and the XIV Panzer Korps, that combined have 580,000 infantry and 500 tanks.

LI A.K.
71st ID- 80,000 men,
79th ID- 80.000 men
94th ID - 80,000 men
100th JD -40,000 men
295th ID - 80,000 men
305th ID -80,000 men
389th ID - 80,000 men
14th PzD - 150 tanks
24th PzD - 202 tanks
XIV Panzer Korps
3rd MID - 30,000 men
60th MID - 30,000
16th PzD- 148 tanks
Attached to the Corps are:
648th Army Signal Regiment
2nd Nebelwerfer Regiment
30th Nebelwerfer Regiment
51st Mortar Regiment
53rd Mortar Regiment
91st Air Defence Regiment
243rd Assault Gun Battalion
245th Assault Gun Battalion
45th Army Engineer Battalion
225th Army Engineer Battalion
294th Army Engineer Battalion
336th Army Engineer Battalion
501st Army Engineer Battalion
605th Army Engineer Battalion
652nd Army Engineer Battalion
672nd Army Engineer Battalion
685th Army Engineer Battalion
912nd Army Engineer Battalion
921st Army Engineer Battalion
925th Army Engineer Battalion
These units will be used to push the Soviets into the sea. the 16th PzD, the 3rd and 60th MID will push south from the east, driving toward the eastern landings. the 24th PzD, 94th ID, 71st ID, and 100th JD will push through the woods and break the stalemate there, and then move to secure the Flanks of the other two groups.. the 14th PzD, 295th ID, and 389th ID will push through the gully and Hill 107 into Stalingrad’s Western Landings. To clear up confusion in Operation Angriff am Wolga the groups assaulting the eastern landing are Angriff Gruppe Amboss; the group attacking the western landings is Angriff Gruppe Hammer, and the group going through the center to secure the flanks is Angriff Gruppe Beschützer.
The IV and VIII Army Korps should arrive by October. I have given you the orders, now you must follow them and push the Soviet dogs into the Volga. Also the Luftwaffe and artillery will carry out operation Wacht am Wolga; putting the Volga river under 24hr Bombardment to keep the Ruskie from reinforcing. Remember, defeat is not an option.



Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich Paulus

[Olorian]

Commissar Igorevich was lined up behind his Penal Battalion, getting ready to reinforce the front lines. Two battalions were being sent to each line, to fill in the holes and to die a glorious death for the motherland. Commissar Igorevich pulled his whistle and handgun out, and cleared his throat.

"Cowards and penal scum. You are being sent to die for your crimes against the state, and die you will. For in dying in the battle, your shall make up for your crimes in life. Now, move forward, for the Rodina!"...

He blew his whistle and the battalions began to move out...

Mechetka Woods

Guards Rifleman burst out of their hiding holes and began to fire on the company trying to move through. The woods, which had already been damaged by previous combat, burst into a firestorm as MG's and rifle fire began to tear through the German ranks. Small emplacements fired heavier weapons into the lines of the Germans approaching...

[The German Democratic Reich]

Edward yelled as the bullets ripped through his men, ordering them to get to cover. Men still alive would duck onto the ground where the elevation had a slight change, hide behind boulders, trees that have either fallen, or where wide enough to get cover on.
Edward yelled at his soldiers in German ordering them to return fire. A barrage of bullets erupted from behind the German cover, aiming for soviet positions.


One soldier would draw his stick grenade and pulled the pin, before throwing it at the camp positions.


It landing too short and blasting in between. Edward himself was hiding behind a tree, breathing heavily as his gloved hands gripped onto his MP40 tighter..

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

Hauptmann Faust smoked his pipe as he observed the land south of the Radio Station with his binoculars. There was a creek roughly 400 meters out, and he ordered his mortar sections and panzers to pre-sight on it. He told his men to dig in deep, and get the machine guns sighted in on the field. He knew the Russians wanted this radio station back, but he wouldn't let them have it. The station sat on a slight rise giving him and his men good vision on the lane of advance. to his left and right where the other regiments of the 384th and 305th IDs , also the forward elements of the 16th Panzer division and the 3rd and 60th MID had started to arrive. He had just been resupplied, so his 4 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 mortars had plenty of rounds. Faust went back to the broken Russian defenses and found a half dozen more ppsh-41s and even a couple of crates of drum magazines, so he distributed the ppshs among his staff and NCOs, and took 3 more drums for himself so he had about ten stuffed in his pockets and in his bread bag. some of his men brought over coils of barbed wire from the Russian lines behind them, and planted some landmines.
At 12OO that morning Faust heard a whistle, the roar of men, and scattered inaccurate artillery fire started to come down.
“Eingehende Kommunisten!! Menschen Ihre Positionen!!!” Faust bellowed, “Mörtel Kamin!!”
The thud of his mortars firing, the crack of rifles and the ripping sound his MG 42s made was deafening. He peered through his Binoculars and saw a human wave with rifles and the soviet banner protruding outward. Faust watched as the soviets fell en mass as his pre-sighted mortars and machine gun fire hit their mark. His men fired furiously, and Faust himself picked up a Kar98k and fired into the Communist Horde. Yet still they still came, over the bodies of the first wave, and over the second. The Tanks fired and expect all of their HE rounds, and mowed down Russians with their bow guns, yet even still they came on their 4th wave The MG to his right stopped firing as the Corporal behind it slumped over dead. Faust slung his SMG across his chest and fired as he ran over the the position and manned the gun himself. His men ran low on ammo, so Faust decide his course of action.
“Fix Bayonets, and prepare to repulse the attackers!” Faust yelled as he hoisted himself and the MG42 out of the fox hole. Using the barrel changing mitt to hold the hefty MG called his men to follow him. Russians charged toward him and Faust gunned them down with a bursts from the MG42.

“FÜR GOTT, UND DER FUHRER!! Vorwärts Kameraden!” Faust yelled calling his men to the attack.

“Scheisshölen, what are you waiting for, hand addressed orders from the Fuhrer. CHAAARGE!!” Exclaimed an irate Feldwebel Baatz .

German got up from their holes, most charged with their Hauptmann to meet the Soviet saumensch, some keeled over dead from a russian bullet. Furious hand to hand fighting broke out. Men bludgeoned to death with rifle stocks or bayoneted in the gut, but not one German retreated, and soon the Russians were being push back, then the soviets started breaking ranks and fleeing from the engagement and they were met with their own machine guns. Fausts men held and soon the remaining Soviets threw down their arms and surrender, but their was no quarter given. The now unarmed russians were shot, bayoneted, and left to down in their own blood and the blood of their comrades, the now blood stained soviet banner lay in a pile of slain communist scum. Faust reveling in his hard won victory.

69 men of Company I lay dead, another 30 wounded. Definitely the Hauptmann had stood his ground and turned a counterattack into a route and as the sun set on Faust’s foxholes, the men and tanks of the XIV could be seen arriving at the front to crush the city that bore the name of the bastard Stalin.

[Murovanka]

Just for Clarification, under which division does 99. Regiment fall under and what exactly will be its next move..?

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

Just for Clarification, under which division does 99. Regiment fall under and what exactly will be its next move..?

they are under the 44th ID, XI Army Corps, Assault Gruppe Hammer. Your job is to take Hill 107, move into the City and drive south toward the Western landings. Short term goal, take the Red October Plant at marker 53.

[Kenzinia]

Radio/Comms Station, Stalingrad
Captain/Hauptmann Josef Bavaria

"Sir, orders just came in from command." The Gefreiter radio operator told the Hauptmann. "We and the 384th are ordered to continue pushing towards the docks, north of the Volga."

Josef nodded. "Very well then. Men, pack your equipment, we'll be leaving for the docks in 1 hour." Then his men started to pack up and leave when several explosions rang from the opposite site of the building. Gunfire can also be heard, the rattling sound of machine guns made way to Josef's ears.

"That must be the 384th, sir. Sounds like they're having a hard time. Should we go and help them?" The Gefreiter asked him.

Josef hesitated. "Uh, they're very well-trained and well-equipped. We should deal with our own mat-"

His sentence was cut by a huge explosion just outside the building. Several of his men were sent flying to the air by the power of the artillery shell. Soon enough, a huge wave of Russian soldiers rushed from Josef's side of the building, willing to take their prized radio station back. "Aussteigen und kampfen! Don't let them even get close!" He ordered. The soldiers of Kompanie A scrambled outside and returned fire to the incoming Russians. Josef himself grabbed his MP 40, loaded it and went out.

"Man the MG-42s! Mortars, blow 'em up! Don't ever retreat, für den führer!" He screamed, shooting a couple of Russians above the trenches. The mortar crews got into action, blowing a squad of Russians up in a single hit. But whatever they did, the enemy just keep coming and coming. The Panzer IIIs sprayed them with their machine guns as one by one the Russian soldiers went down. A PTRS squad shot a Panzer, heavily damaging its tracks and engine.

Kompanie A troops in the trenches.

The Russians were smart enough to bring a couple of their own machine guns to the fight and shooting down a few of Josef's unlucky men. He made his way through the trenches, shooting anyone wearing Russian uniform on the way. The Russians' artillery shells kept bombing the battlefield, killing a squad in each hit. Josef peeked over the trenches. A platoon of Russians still standing and shooting. On his left there's an unmanned MG nest. He crouched and walked to the nest, mounted on the MG-42 and fired at the Russians. A squad just arrived at his position to help mow down the remaining Russians.

At last the Russians were left with only a few men left, the others were running away for their lives, retreating. They've failed, and Josef succeeded. The leftover Russians surrendered to Josef's men. "What should we do with them, sir?" The Gefreiter radioman, who had made it with a wound on his right leg, asked. His Kar98k was pointed to the head of a Russian.

"No communists allowed in my territory." Josef said, pointing his MP 40 to the unlucky Russian and pulled the trigger. Two bullets were shot into his head and he fell to the ground. The other men, realizing that they need to kill their surrendering enemies, did the same. Josef slung his gun over his shoulder and asked the Gefreiter. "Can you count our casualties?" The radioman nodded. "One of our Panzers broke down, 43 dead, 58 wounded."

"Alright then. Ärzte, work on the wounded quick. We're leaving in 15 minutes." Josef ordered.

[Murovanka]

OOC: Wakey wakey guys. I'm gonna post soon. Thing is, with no direct orders, I'll just... go ahead and write, I suppose, if that's ok. Cuz a small company ain't gonna make its own decisions on where it's heading to.

[Armellenia]

German Application: [HIGHCOM is Neu Deutsches Vaterland]
Company: Kompanie A, Infanterie-Regiment 578, 305. Infanterie-Division
Company Commander: Hauptmann Otto Frank (Based on a german relative who actually won the Iron Cross and froze to death in Stalingrad, I don't think he ever reached that rank or was ever recorded, all we have is a picture of him in his uniform.) is relatively new to company command, however he has the motivation to climb the ranks of the Wehrmact,, command a tank destroyer unit of what he plans as StuG assault guns, and ultimately win the war for the fatherland. A patriot but not a national socialist, he hates the cold and has four other brothers in the Wehrmact. He grew up in Pirmasens, a town near the border with France, along with being rather young for a Captain in the Wehrmact (I also plan to integrate him winning an Iron Cross as my relative did.) Uses a captured Russian PPsH-41 and a commemorative Luger pistol given to him by his father, a high-ranking official during the First World War, not planning to return to the army.
Size: 300
Company Description: Relatively new to battle company of the 305. Infanterie-Division, was on garrison duty before being sent with the 305. on their conversion to a field division. Mostly comprises of recruits from the areas near the border with France, the Captain himself being from that area. The company is also allowed to use captured equipment, thus a mass use of the Russian SMGs PPsH-41 and -43 has arose.

[Olorian]

My apologies guys, I've been doing stuff and hadn't gotten around to posting anything. As the week kicks off, this will change.

[Armellenia]

My apologies guys, I've been doing stuff and hadn't gotten around to posting anything. As the week kicks off, this will change.

Could you accept my application?

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

My apologies guys, I've been doing stuff and hadn't gotten around to posting anything. As the week kicks off, this will change.

Could you accept my application?

As German HIGHCOM. you are hereby officially accepted.
also it would be cool if you could post a picture of you relative that fought

[Armellenia]

As German HIGHCOM. you are hereby officially accepted.
also it would be cool if you could post a picture of you relative that fought

Unfortunately, the only two pictures of him I know of are in Pirmasens, Germany, and the other 200 miles away from where I live. And the good old Nazis destroyed most German military records near the end of the war, and he was I believe buried in a mass grave, as was his brother in Tunisia, so fat chance that I'm ever gonna find him without visiting my other relatives.

[Murovanka]

OOC:

Unfortunately, the only two pictures of him I know of are in Pirmasens, Germany, and the other 200 miles away from where I live. And the good old Nazis destroyed most German military records near the end of the war, and he was I believe buried in a mass grave, as was his brother in Tunisia, so fat chance that I'm ever gonna find him without visiting my other relatives.

Na, seien Sie herzlich willkommen zu wieder einmal eine sinnlose, blutige Etappe der Menschheit.

Promise to post soon, even if it's gonna be rather short. Hope it's okay to allow myself some freedom. Is any other Soviet RP company gonna stand in my way?

[Olorian]

HIGHCOM Stalingrad Front


Orders


Any women and children from the ages of 8 to 18 that are able to carry a rifle are to be sent to the front line. They are to be deployed against the enemies in any way the front line commanders see necessary. For the Rodina, for das Stalingrad!

**HILL 107**

A whistle blew in the back of the formation as multiple women, children, and conscripts began their charge up the hill. Armed with bolt action rifles, anti tank grenades, and anything they could scavenge. Rows upon rows of them were mowed down by machine guns, rifles, and other weaponry. However, for every Russian that fell, ten more were there to take their place! Soldiers began to toss their anti tank grenades at nearby tanks, while molitoves and grenades were tossed into infantry positions. Casualties would be high for the Red Army, but they would take this hill at any cost!...

**MECHETKA WOODS**

The fighting was still intense in the woods. The Soviet Guards Rifleman company was deeply entrenched inside of it. German infantry trying to cross through were being blown to pieces by the emplacements and weaponry the Soviets had dug in with. Short of leveling the entire forest, the Soviets were going to be hard pressed to abandon the woods...

**RED BARRICADES WORKERS SETTLEMENT**

Intensely fortified, the entire section of the city was crawling with AT guns, MG emplacements, and whatever other weapons the Soviets could pack in. Barbwire and sandbags covered every area possible, with anti tank mines peaking out of the ground. They would hold Stalingrad at any cost...

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

*Mechytka Woods
Though confused at first, the Germans were order to vacate Machytka woods. It took 8 hours for all the men to be pulled out, and they swore they could hear the reds cheering thinking they had won. The German laughed at the Soviets naivete, did they think we would just let them have the wood? At 1400 that afternoon the Luftwaffe firebombed the Mechetka woods; roasting the communist scum alive in their positions. The sky blazed that day as thick plumes of smoke could be seen all the way across the Volga and Armee Gruppe Beschützer moved around the still burning woods, the Russian cheers of victory, replaced with the pained screams of men burning alive. With the majority of the Defenders burning alive or otherwise disposed the Army Group Moved toward the city, taking time to engage the few defenders of Moraya Gully, before digging in just inside the city and preparing to assault the heavily defended Tractor Factory Worker’s Settlement. 50 tanks, and 3 full strength regiments of the 100th Jager Division, which specialized in the kind of close in fighting that would occur there. Tomorrow will spell the beginning of the end for the Russian defenders. That Night, the Germans set up loud speakers to broadcast propaganda to encourage Russians to surrender, and a few tried, but where shot by their own.

[Neu Deutsches Vaterland]

*Sector 49*

The XIV Panzer Korps was tasked with being the vanguard on the Dzerzhinsky Tractor Factory. the 16th PzD, 3rd MID and 60th MID would drive from the southernmost portion of sector 49, across the tributary of the Volga and make a direct assault on the Tractor Factory. the TF serve as the strongest, and most fortified position between them and the eastern landing, Armee Gruppe Amboss's main objective. From what the German recon could tell, the tractor factory was surrounded with a maze of trenches, barbed wire, AT guns, a few tanks dug in, multiple flak batteries, and a vast amount of men mostly Red Army Conscripts and poorly armed Worker's Militia's, but a couple of companies of Guards Rifles. The best they could estimate was that their was roughly 2 infantry Divisions worth of men. However, whist being under constant bombardment by German Arty, Bombers, and Mortars did leave the defenders weary and without sleep.
After re-leaving and folding the 384th ID (Now the 384th MID) into the undermanned XIV PzK at the radio station the army group moved south with a total strength of roughly 180,000 men and 148 tanks; 120,000 of which belonged to the 3rd, 60th,and the newly minted 384th MID. The XIV PK was moved to the front,with the Motorized IDs moving intermixed with the Panzer Division to ensure the tanks had infantry support, and they crossed the tributary at 1400. While the 305th ID engaged the Russians at Orlavoka Gully, the XIVth closed within 1.5 kilometers of the Factory. At this point, what artillery the Soviets could Muster was firing at the Germans, though Inaccurate and sporadic since both the crews were poorly trained if at all, and the fact that the Germans where throwing everything they got at the factory; including Artillery, assault guns, Mortars, and even 80 cm shells from the Dora Rail gun

( Because it happened IRL)

. when they closed to a little less than a half a Kilk, their 37mm AT guns started opening up; but what the Russians didn't expect was when the shells bounced off the the 4 lead tanks, the Pz Kpfw IV Tiger. Though the XIV was a little light on the number of tanks, it did have 4 of the newly deployed Tiger tank and the Russians soon were aware of the fact that there 37mm guns, which could easily knock out a III, or if aimed right the mainstay of the Germans the IV; but no matter where they fired the Tigers would stop. the Tiger Column Halted, and the rest of the 77th tank battalion halted as well, and began to take shots at the various AT positions, while the rest of the 16th PD, and Motorized infantry divisions passed by to make the main assault.
Though initially the AT guns where inaccurate, they soon became a nuisance, destroying 10 Pz IIIs and 7 Pz IVs leading the Assualt, and went on to temporally disable another 6 before the Last of the AT guns were knocked out. The Lead regiments of the 3rd motorized infantry where the first to the outer trench works of the Tractor factory, dismounting their armored transports and trucks as engineers cut and blew up wires, and cleared paths though mines, all the time Soviet machine guns firing and cutting down men. 37th regiment took 300 causalities in the opening hours of the Assault, though despite the losses the German steadily advanced into the ever thickening maze of inner defense, dodging mine and bullets along the way. By the time they were 25 meters away from breaching the building itself the 37th was up to 21% causalities and had lost 15 half tracks and another 3 tanks destroyed, but still they pushed. When the 37th reached the doors of what was left standing of the Tractor Factory, the soviet defenses breached, but still fighting tooth and nail,they where fighting with bayonets, pistols and SMGs and up to 35% causalities, yet they fought on. when Russian reserves hit the 37th trying to repulse the assault, they held for 2 hours, taking 45% casualties, while inflicting 170% causalities on the Russians, with little ammo left and 3,375 of the 7,500 men dead or wounded the 37th was finally re-leaved by the rest of the Division 2. Regimental Commander Generalmajor Johann Fuchs was awarded the Iron cross 2nd class, along with 30 other men from the regiment.
19 hours of fighting from 1400 that day to 0800 the next morning the battle ensued, with hand to hand fighting and heavy causalities on both sides. The Night fighting was only lit by the flashes of rifle and MG fire, and the distant glow of the Mecheytka Wood, and the burning land around the factory. The Germans, though finally held the factory and the Russians lay broken in the sector.The Cost for the Germans was 4,567 men dead, 6,780 wounded, 25 tanks destroyed, 17 tanks disabled, 40 armored vehicles destroyed, and another 60 disabled. Though extremely costly for the German, it was worth it for not 6 kilometers away lie the Eastern docks.

[Murovanka]

An: Hauptmann Otto Matick Reiffel, “A” Kompanie, 99. Infanterieregiment, 44th Infanteriedivision
Absender: Frau Anja Marie Reiffel, Göthestrasse 15, Knarrendorf

Liebster Otto,
Wie geht es dir, hast du dich erholt? Was ist eigentlich passiert? Die Nachricht von deiner Verletzung hat uns erschreckt, Gott sei Dank bist du noch ganz. Komm bitte nach Hause, nehme ein paar Tage Urlaub, du musst dich erholen! Die Kinder erwarten dich mit Sehnsucht. Maximillian geht jetzt zur HJ und Anne muss bald ins BDM. Beiden geht es sehr gut. Der Knarrendorfer Parteivorsitzender hat vorgeschlagen, dass Maximillian einen Spezialkurs machen soll, damit er später in die Waffen-SS eintreten kann. Ich bin mir da nicht so sicher.

Hör mal, es laufen Gerüchte herum, dass Soldaten der Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS rußische Zivilisten regelmässig hinrichten und umbringen. Darunter sollen sogar Kinder und Frauen sein! Antworte mir ehrlich, stimmen diese Gerüchte? Wenn ja: was, zum Teufel, haben sie aus euch gemacht? Versprich mir, dass du niemals sowas tun wirst- Gott würde es dir nie verzeihen!

Gruß aus ganz Knarrendorf,
Anja

Dearest Otto,
How are you, have you recovered? What actually happened? The news about your wounding really shocked us. Thank God that you’re still in one piece. Please come back home, take a few days rest. The kids await you longingly. Maximillian now attends the HJ and Anne needs to soon enter the BDM. They are both healthy and well. The Knarrendorf Party chief has suggested that Maximillian undergo a special course to train him for the Waffen-SS. I’m not so sure about that.

Listen, rumors are that Wehrmacht and SS troops are regularly massacring Russian civilians. Amongst them children and women! Answer me honestly, are they correct? If yes: what, by the devil, have they done with you? Promise me, that you will never do something like that- God would never forgive you!

Greetings from everyone in Knarrendorf,
Anja

Selenaya Gully
Anton Kompanie, 99. Infanterieregiment
Hauptmann Otto Matick Reiffel

Rest was out of question for Hauptmann Otto Matick Reiffel. Five days after he was carried to the field hospital on a stretcher, he, to the horror of his doctor, pressed himself into action as soon as he received news that his company would rejoin the fighting.

The regiment was tasked with capturing the village west of Hill 107. After the scouts returned, reporting to the regiment commanders that little enemy resistance was to be expected, the second battalion advanced into the village. It was closely followed by the companies of the third battalion. Reiffel’s company was assigned to advance cautiously along the road west of the village, which was densely packed with foliage. They were to watch the and protect the third battalions flanks which were attacking to the west of the village. However, nothing was to be noticed. It wasn’t that of an important location anyway, and the troops knew that they likely wouldn’t see any action today. The troops stayed quiet, as they’d been told to, but the atmosphere was calm and relaxed.

”Hat sich Aufklärungstruppe Drei gemeldet?” enquired Reiffel to Leutnant Jaslein, commander of the 6th Rifle Platoon.

”Has Recon Unit 3 reported in?”

”Keine Ahnung. Sie sollten sich jederzeit melden. Doch… hören Sie!”

”No Idea. They should report in any time now. Yep… listen!”

The lieutenant’s radio burst to life.

”…Eule Drei an Falke Sechs, han feind’che T’uppen entdeckt, ‘paniestärke, in Begleitung von einer Battrie… anscheinend b’reiten sich vor, uns’re rechte Flanke im Dorf anzugreifen… Eule Drei an Falke Sechs…” came the report, static randomly interrupting the transmission.

”..Owl Three to Hawk Six, have discovered enemy troops, company strength, in addition to a battery. They look to be preparing themselves to attack the village from the right wing. Owl Three to Hawk Six…

That got Reiffel’s attention. Ordering the recon unit to stay where they were, he assembled his staff and a small contingent of troops and approached the scouts position. The leader, an experienced sergeant who’d fought in the First World War, explained the situation to Reiffel as the company commander observed the Russian positions through his binoculars. It turned out that this was a very convenient position from which to ambush the advancing German forces, a fact that the regiment commander had clearly overseen. Small gullies and valleys amongst the hills allowed the Russian troops to sneak up to the German rearguard and wreak havoc amongst the regiments lines. The third battalion would be in trouble, and so would the rest of the regiment. Reiffel swung the binoculars around, asking: ”Und die Wachposten- die Patrouillen? Ha’n sie uns auch entdeckt?”

”And the patrols, have they discovered us?”

”Nee, sind ganz schön undiszipliniert. Schauen Sie, wie sie da ‘rumsitzen. Wenn die weg sind, bevor sie ihre Kompanie alarmieren können, wird dat en Kinderspiel sein.”

”Nah, they are undisciplined. They’re just sitting around. This will be child’s play if we can get them before they alarm their company.”

“Das hab’ ich auch gedacht. Bringen sie mir die fünf besten Scharfschützen! Ich werde sie direkt under meinem Kommando stellen!” Reiffel said to his staff. His adjutant immediately left.

”I thought so too. Bring me the five best snipers! I’ll put them direktly under my command.”

Fifteen minutes later, all platoons, having advanced and positioned themselves as cautiously as possible, were in position. Reiffel’s loyal adjutant kept careful watch as Reiffel himself stood by one of the sniper pairs.

“Die Geschütze werden geladen.” reported the adjutant.

”The artillery guns are being loaded.”

More minutes went by as the Russians waited for the right moment to strike, moving in a clearly disorganized and undisciplined fashion to their positions. All of a sudden, cannon shots rang in the air as the Russian battery began launching their shells toward the trapped troops of the 3rd battery. Reiffel’s adjutant perked up.

”Schlagen wir zu? Warten wir zu spät, und die dritte Battalion ist fertig!”

”Are we going to attack? If we wait too long, the third battalion will be dead!”

”Greifen wir zu früh an, und das wird ein nutzloses Gemetzel! Warten sie auf mein Signal!” replied Reiffel, speaking the last bit into his radio.

”If we attack to early, this will be a useless skirmish! Wait for my signal!”

Russian troops began pouring out of their concealed positions, firing and screaming wildly. Machine guns began mowing down helpless German troops. Reiffel’s radio came to life, a frantic and desperate Hauptmann Krämar, commanding the 3rd battalion, was to be heard.

”Reiffel, du Vollidiot! WO STECKST DU? Wir werden von der rechten Flanke angegriffen!”

”Reiffel, you idiot! Where are you?! We’re getting attacked from our right flank!”

Reiffel ignored it, turning to his snipers.

“Feueeer!”

The sound of the shots went down under the heavy artillery fire. The snipers expertly killed their targets, the patrols who were watching the Russian rearguard, within seconds.

“Abteilungen ausschwärmen! ZUM ANGRIFF! Maschinengewehrabteilungen, FEUER!”

It was the Germans’ turn for surprises. MG-34’s appeared out of nowhere behind the Russian lines and mercilessly began chattering. These were accompanied by the charging German infantry- that was enough to cause the attack to crumble. Many Russian soldiers, amongst them a great number of women and young men barely into their teens, dropped their weapons and fled for their lives. But it wasn’t over yet. From behind the a small hill, the platoon of Cossacks on horseback rode into view. Utilizing the speed of the horses, they mercilessly chased and cut down the fleeing Russians, regardless of age or gender. The fight was soon over, with barely a handful of Russian soldiers managing to escape. The entire battery had been captured intact, along with enough shells to fire for several hours. The unusually large Russian company had suffered fifty-two dead and over a 150 wounded. Another 250 troops had surrendered, and were lined up along the road. On the German side, casualties were light- twenty dead and sixty five wounded. Reiffel, pleased with himself for organizing the successful ambush, strode up to the prisoners.

However, his euphoria fell dramatically when he saw them. The majority consisted of women, old men and children, who stared at him in fear. Reiffels initial satisfaction turned into violent anger. ”Was soll dieser Scheiss?! Das war keine Schlacht, das war ein Massaker! Holen sie mir Atachow!” he screamed at his adjutant.

”What is this shit?! That was no battle, that was a massacre! Get me Atachow!”

The dark-skinned Cossack walked with some difficulty up to him. Blood trickled down his leg from a cut in his thigh. Reiffel, using him as translator, bent down to one of the kids, a roughly ten year old boy. He tried to hide his anger and smiled reassuringly at the child.

“Don’t worry, we won’t harm you. Who is your commander?”

Atachow translated quickly. The boy, still uneasy, pointed at one of the men who was clutching his right arm in pain. A bullet had lodged itself near his elbow. Reiffel stood up determinedly, barking at the Russian company commander. Atachow translated dutifully.

“You bolshewick pig! You useless, senseless barbarians! Dragging children and women to fight? My patience ends right here!”

Reiffel turned to his adjutant. ”Stellen sie den Mann an den Baum! Ich brauche fünf Freiwillige!”

”Put this man at this tree. I would like five volunteers!”

The firing squad was quickly chosen. The execution was quick and without much drama. The dead Russian was left on the ground, unburied. Reiffel proceeded to organize the burial of the fallen German and Russian troops. When it came to transporting the prisoners back, he ordered his staff:

”Lassen sie alle Jungens unter dem Alter von 16, und dazu noch alle Frauen and Alten. Wir werden auf dem Weg noch Möglichkeiten finden, sie abzusetzen. Sie taugen nicht für uns’re KZ-Lager- da nützt es nicht, sie dorthin zu schicken. Hat irgendwer was dagegen?”

”Leave all young boys under the age of 16 here, in addition to women and the elderly. We will find a way to return them home. They won’t do any good in our concentration camps, it’s pointless to send them there. Does anyone have any objections?”

There were none. His orders were carried out, and Reiffel readied his company for the next stages of the battle.

[Nivok Baves]

Dimtri and the rest of A company were dotted around the buildings that made up Orvoka Gully, tired from long hours of staying awake in the case of a German attack. Despite taking turns on sentry duty, the sound of rifle fire, screaming and the siren of the Stukas stopped them sleeping. Dimitri eyes grew heavy, determined to sleep, but could not succeed in sleeping as the fear that plagued Dimtri's mined refused to go away and festering at every waking moment.

Dying wasn't his fear, but turning coward was or being killed without a fight would put his name to shame, not only for dying but that no Fascist scum would be taken with him. Sighing, he took out a photograph showing his family before the war, smiling proudly in the sunny weather. Dimitri 17 when this photo was taken and only a few years later he was almost unrecognizable. The smiling boy was replaced with a man who couldn't and whose face had become thinner, his once fine hair was replaced with a shaven head and he couldn't sleep in the fear of nightmares alerting Germans to their positions. His mind wandered to his brother, wondering if he had kept his promise of staying alive or if he had been killed. As he lay with his back against the wall, a hand tapped him on the shoulder causing him to jump. Looking up he saw it was ефре́йтор Vladislav looking at him.

"It's your watch Comrade" he said, his boyish voice almost squeaking. Dimitri looked down, ashamed his nation was using mere boys to fight its wars.

"Alright then, who's after me?" he asked, the rota had escaped his memory.

"Vyacheslav, Comrade Sir" he said, before walking over to his corner and taking his helmet and reading a letter. Grunting, he stood up and walked over to the window, gazing out with his eyes darting around the street, occasionally meeting the eyes of other companies in the buildings. The night was intermittently lit up by explosions and fires that raged unchecked, This is going to be a long war... he thought to himself.

[Olorian]

Dimtri and the rest of A company were dotted around the buildings that made up Orvoka Gully, tired from long hours of staying awake in the case of a German attack. Despite taking turns on sentry duty, the sound of rifle fire, screaming and the siren of the Stukas stopped them sleeping. Dimitri eyes grew heavy, determined to sleep, but could not succeed in sleeping as the fear that plagued Dimtri's mined refused to go away and festering at every waking moment.

Dying wasn't his fear, but turning coward was or being killed without a fight would put his name to shame, not only for dying but that no Fascist scum would be taken with him. Sighing, he took out a photograph showing his family before the war, smiling proudly in the sunny weather. Dimitri 17 when this photo was taken and only a few years later he was almost unrecognizable. The smiling boy was replaced with a man who couldn't and whose face had become thinner, his once fine hair was replaced with a shaven head and he couldn't sleep in the fear of nightmares alerting Germans to their positions. His mind wandered to his brother, wondering if he had kept his promise of staying alive or if he had been killed. As he lay with his back against the wall, a hand tapped him on the shoulder causing him to jump. Looking up he saw it was ефре́йтор Vladislav looking at him.

"It's your watch Comrade" he said, his boyish voice almost squeaking. Dimitri looked down, ashamed his nation was using mere boys to fight its wars.

"Alright then, who's after me?" he asked, the rota had escaped his memory.

"Vyacheslav, Comrade Sir" he said, before walking over to his corner and taking his helmet and reading a letter. Grunting, he stood up and walked over to the window, gazing out with his eyes darting around the street, occasionally meeting the eyes of other companies in the buildings. The night was intermittently lit up by explosions and fires that raged unchecked, This is going to be a long war... he thought to himself.

A radio man runs up to Lieutenant Dimitri. "Comrade Lieutenant, orders from command. You're being promoted to Captain and being sent to Battalion. Apparently, the previous Captain was killed defending the motherland. Don't worry comrade, we'll defend the gully." A shell lands nearby, a large explosion bursts. "Go comrade Lieutenant, while there is still time."

**TRACTOR FACTORY**

Worker Millita began to destroy important machinery, to prevent German use of it. Otherwise, Soviets were placing demo charges on important structures as fighting could be heard in the distance. The Soviets were holding them back, but with massive casualties for all sides. This was not going to last, and this position would have to be unusable to the Fascist scum...

[Nivok Baves]

A radio man runs up to Lieutenant Dimitri. "Comrade Lieutenant, orders from command. You're being promoted to Captain and being sent to Battalion. Apparently, the previous Captain was killed defending the motherland. Don't worry comrade, we'll defend the gully." A shell lands nearby, a large explosion bursts. "Go comrade Lieutenant, while there is still time."

**TRACTOR FACTORY**

Worker Millita began to destroy important machinery, to prevent German use of it. Otherwise, Soviets were placing demo charges on important structures as fighting could be heard in the distance. The Soviets were holding them back, but with massive casualties for all sides. This was not going to last, and this position would have to be unusable to the Fascist scum...

Dimitri looked up at the radio man, surprised at his recent promotion.

"Battalion... I have forgotten where that is comrade, perhaps you could refresh my memory" he said, pinching his eyes and nose trying to jog his memory of the city, getting to this Gully had been a nightmare. "Is it past the river?"

[Olorian]

A radio man runs up to Lieutenant Dimitri. "Comrade Lieutenant, orders from command. You're being promoted to Captain and being sent to Battalion. Apparently, the previous Captain was killed defending the motherland. Don't worry comrade, we'll defend the gully." A shell lands nearby, a large explosion bursts. "Go comrade Lieutenant, while there is still time."

**TRACTOR FACTORY**

Worker Millita began to destroy important machinery, to prevent German use of it. Otherwise, Soviets were placing demo charges on important structures as fighting could be heard in the distance. The Soviets were holding them back, but with massive casualties for all sides. This was not going to last, and this position would have to be unusable to the Fascist scum...

Dimitri looked up at the radio man, surprised at his recent promotion.

"Battalion... I have forgotten where that is comrade, perhaps you could refresh my memory" he said, pinching his eyes and nose trying to jog his memory of the city, getting to this Gully had been a nightmare. "Is it past the river?"

"Red Barricades Factory comrade Captain."

[Nivok Baves]

Dimitri nodded, slightly embarrassed, before standing up slowly and stretching his aching muscles from lying down so long. Picking up his PPSh-41, he started walking towards Red Barracks all the while still reeling from his promotion but scared, especially because of what the radioman had told him. The last captain got killed kept running through his mind, he began wondering if he was going to survive this and if he was ever going home. For once in his life, Dimitri doubt Stalin.

[Olorian]

Dimitri nodded, slightly embarrassed, before standing up slowly and stretching his aching muscles from lying down so long. Picking up his PPSh-41, he started walking towards Red Barracks all the while still reeling from his promotion but scared, especially because of what the radioman had told him. The last captain got killed kept running through his mind, he began wondering if he was going to survive this and if he was ever going home. For once in his life, Dimitri doubt Stalin.

You arrive at the factory, good chunks of the building itself have been blown off, but even through the holes you can still see people producing equipment for the battle. An artillery shell comes flying on and blows another chunk off a nearby building. A red flag symbolizes the Battalion HQ. A conscript approaches you.

"Comrade Captain, congratulations on the promotion. You're Battalion Executive Officer. The Major wants you to organize our next attack. I am also sorry to tell you that your company was wiped out while holding the gully, my deepest apologies comrade. They died for the good of the Rodina."