ACV's 1 Operation Black Gold (19 page)

I don’t care if Buggs is lying next to ye, we his guts hanging out screaming for help, take the note and get it to BHQ.  We might no be able to save the battalion even then, but at least it will give them a fighting chance and they will be able to warn Brigade.  They should be able to stop them.  Do you understand?’

He nodded his understanding then looked into my eyes.  I could see right into his soul and the pain hidden in its depths.  ‘Dinna worry, I’ll dé it.’  Davie was the first of us that day to grow up.

By the time the medical APC nosed out of the pass I’d finished briefing Frankie and Taff.  There was only one hiccup in my calculations.  The first man out of the APC was the Battalions doctor.  By that time, we had them all lined up as if they were dead.

‘Good grief.’

He raced over to the first man but before he could touch him, I cocked my weapon.  He froze.  ‘Don’t move sir.  Their all alive, but the only way we’re going to get them out of here that way is if we pretend they are all dead.’

‘Explain, and be quick about it.’

‘Take their pulse, use your stethoscope on them, shake your head, take a dog tag, and then move onto the next.’

He took a stethoscope from his jacket pocket and began to comply.  ‘Directly behind me there’s a rebel observation post with an optic the size of an APC’s road wheel.  They probably have an English speaker manning it so be very careful of what you say and do.’

He moved onto the next man.  ‘OK go on.’

‘The rebels are preparing for a massive push.’

‘Are you sure abo--?’

‘Don’t fucking argue sir just listen.  They’ve been watching us for weeks and they’ve just knocked out our complete command and signals structure.  They know it and think we’re fucked.  If they stop thinking that we will be fucked.’

We moved onto the next man.  ‘There’s too many casualties to fit into the APC, I’ll have to call for another.’ 

‘No, they’re dead remember; stack them if you have to.’  I could see the anger rise in him.

‘I will not.’  I squatted down so he could see into my eyes.

‘Now listen to me sir, I am the commander on the ground and you will obey my orders.  You’re taking three men with you; they will explain the situation fully to you on the way back.  Now finish up, get these men on board, and get to fuck out of here.

We moved on.  ‘I want your name, rank and number.’

‘Get it off my corpse the next time you see me, oh one more thing.  I want you to radio in and tell your medical team to stand down, send it in clear.  If they ask why tell them you’ve no living casualties, if they ask how, say a lucky shell got them.  No fuss, no excitement, we’re going to try and buy the battalion some time.  If you try and say anything more you’ll probably bring Dante’s inferno screaming down about our heads again and you’ll never get through that pass.’

‘Why aren’t they firing at us now?’

‘Because we’re both playing the same game.  There’s nothing wrong over there, there’s nothing wrong over here.  As long as they keep thinking we don’t know what they are up to, the more chance you’ve got of getting these men out alive.’

He finished checking the last man.  ‘OK, I’ll go along with it, but if you’re wrong, I’ll have your guts on a platter.’

‘If I’m wrong sir, I’ll hold the platter for you.’

‘Corporal, start getting these, bodies into the wagon.’  He jumped in, got on the radio, and sent the message I had asked him too.

As soon as the first ‘body’ was loaded he started work, Davie dived into help.  Within five minutes, the APC’s door closed and they left with Buggs and Andy riding on top with the smashed radio in plain sight.  I joined Buff and Ali.

‘You’d better get back to your own trench Ali.’

‘No.’

‘Eh!’ 

‘If we’re going to get it, I’d rather be close to Buff.’  One glance at his big brother and I relented.

‘Go find Frankie and tell him you’re with us then join Abie in his trench.’

‘Yes taé.’

‘And walk.’

‘OK.’

I turned on Buff, ‘I’ve a bone to pick we you cunt.’

‘I gave the gun to Gigs, aright.’ 

‘Aye, OK let’s have a fag.’  We sat and smoked in silence for a while.

‘Jim.’

‘Aye.’

‘Why are we sitting out in the open smoking and why is nobody shooting at us?’

‘They’re not shooting at us because they’ve knocked out our officer and all our NCOs and think were fucked.  We’re sitting smoking to perpetuate that idea.’

‘That’s why everybody’s out ó the trenches fucking about.’

‘That’s it, nobody’s in command so nobody’s giving a shit.’

‘So what happens next?’

‘Depends, if the APC gets away that’s the signal for Frankie’s boy’s to start slipping back into their trenches.  We’ll head for ours too.  When we reach it, you get in and I’ll make a dash for the OP.  After that we’ll see.’

‘Sod that, I’m coming with you.’

‘Not this time mucker.  If your there I’ll just worry and lose concentration.  You’d be as well shoot me now.’

‘Christ, you’re a right bastard.’

‘Dinna worry mucker, I dinna feel like dying today.’

Eventually the APC nosed its way into the pass.  It was time to move.

It took me a long time to realise the voice I heard screaming in my ears was my own.  My courage had finally failed me.  I made it to the OP but only barely; now I was dead and had descended into hell.  Banshees screamed, demons roared and giants shook the earth in a thunderous rage.  A rock the size of my fist slammed into my back.  Slowly the pain began to overrule my other senses and with the pain returned sanity.  I lay shaking and weeping like a small child for a while but somewhere within that inferno, I’d crossed a hurdle.

I removed the binoculars I found in the ruins of the Sanger from my jacket and with shaking hands tried to find out what was going on.  A slab of rock the size of a family car fell close by offering a little more protection for a while, all too soon though it was plucked away and pulverized into dust.

As the giant glaciers of ancient times had once lain down fertile soil now so too did man.  In his efforts to destroy his fellow human beings, he was unwittingly laying down the foundations for renewal upon this barren rock strewn plateau.  Some of this newly formed soil would collect in cracks and hollows and be trapped there.  The seeds of grasses and flowers and maybe even trees would take root and the circle of life would begin again.

Slowly between shell bursts, I began to form a picture of what was happening.  I lay in the OP at the far end of the ridge.  At one time, it had been one long cliff top.  The spring floods had swept the guts out of the cliff on my left and some cataclysm of nature had dropped it to the plains below.  That man had been in residence at the time was evident by the ancient path cleaved out of solid rock in front of our position.  Across the river on the lower portion of the opposite hill sat Bertrovich between it and us a river and a bridge.  The road that crossed the bridge wandered across the flood plain up the steep slope to my left and skirted our positions on its way to the pass had once been a main highway and covered in tarmac.  Now after years of neglect it was little more than a dirt track.

The terraced village was open for viewing.  In the main square men moved from truck to truck-collecting ammunition, rations, grenades, water, and every other thing they encumbered the ordinary infantryman with before an assault.  They were already being led to a location where they could prepare themselves for battle.

There were guides this side of the river waiting to guide them into their FUP.  (Forming up point)  My spirits quailed.  There were hundreds of them.  They would swamp our position in minutes.  I decided the plan I had outlined to Buggs was my best option but I had to do something now while we still had a little time. 

My eye caught on the Government troop’s position at the bottom of the path.  The Government troops had already bolted leaving all their equipment behind as usual.  I studied it closely through the binoculars for a few minutes; it was a good position and looked well stocked.  For a moment, I considered going down and obtaining a few weapons and some ammo, but discarded the idea almost immediately.

Mr. D’Ord should have plenty time to get ammo up to us, maybe even reinforcements.  Anyway, these positions were always left booby-trapped.

The bombardment had eased a little as they supplemented high explosive with smoke in an effort to disguise their intentions.  That suited me fine, if I couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see me.

I managed to make my way back to my own trench dodging shells and shrapnel on the way, most of the distance I covered on my belly.  Buff jumped at my arrival, I slumped in the opposite corner.  He constantly badgered me while I tried to catch my breath.

‘Are ye ‘a right?’  He persisted.

‘I think I want to fart, but I’m nae sure.’

He sighed with relief and grinned.  ‘Whit’s happening over there.  What are we doing?’  I hurriedly explained the situation and what I wanted to do.

‘You haven’t seen it yet, have ye?’

‘Seen what.’

‘Come on, ye can see for yourself from Gig’s trench.’

‘Jesus Christ.’  I moaned as I picked myself up once more and followed him back into the inferno.

A breeze carried down from the pass and pushed the smoke back over the edge of the cliff as a result Gig’s trench was almost devoid of smoke and incoming fire.  I had a clear line of sight to the pass and was appalled by what I saw.  A wall of flame obscured the mouth of the pass.  We were cut off.

CHAPTER 19

Davie Whitton had just finished explaining Jim’s actions to the doctor.  ‘I see he has taken a lot upon himself, quite a responsibility.’

Davie shrugged.  ‘He’ll manage.’

‘You seem quite sure of that.  Do you realise if he’s wrong, he’ll be in a lot of trouble if he pulls the platoon back.’

Davie sat back on his haunches.  ‘He’s a jock on his own in command of a platoon, because of his own officer’s stupidity.  They’ll be too busy crucifying this cunt for disobeying orders to gié much thought to him, besides he’s not wrong.’

‘Well you haven’t done anything wrong here; you’ve done a first class job with, these casualties.’

‘Thank you sir.’

‘No don’t thank me.  I am thanking you.  I am going to have to report you for resetting your platoon sergeant’s arm.  There will be an inquiry.’

‘In my own defence sir, the break had cut off the blood circulation to his hand.  The whole of his lower arm was turning black; I felt I had no other course of action open to me.’

‘Yes I realise that and I’m sure the inquiry will too, as a matter of fact they will probably recommend you’re given a citation.’

‘Do you think so sir?’

‘Yes and I for one will be endorsing it.  How would you like to come and work with me in the medical centre?’

‘I don’t know sir; I’d like time to think about it.’

‘You do that and in the meantime the driver’s telling me were almost there.  You’d better tell your friends and tell them it’s the building with the big white sign.’ 

‘Yes sir.’ 

Davie popped his head through the hatch.  ‘Buggs we’re almost there, do you know where you’re going?’  He shouted.

‘It’s OK Davie, I’ve been here before.’

‘Right, good luck Buggs, Andy.’

‘And you, hey you did a bloody good job today.’

‘Ye think so.’

‘Aye, well smart.’  The APC came to a halt.  ‘See ye later.’

They jumped off and hit the ground running.  Battalion headquarters had been setup in the old school in Cassava, the next village over.  They crashed through the large double doors together.  A blackboard had been set up to provide directions.  They had to separate.

Bugs turned to Andy, ‘Mine--.’

‘Get back wee a new radio as fast as I can,’ Andy sighed.

’Right catch you in a mo.’

More than a few men in clean uniforms wrinkled their nose at their passing.  A few tried to ask questions but were ignored or pushed past.  They arrived at their destinations almost simultaneously.  A Military Policeman tried to bar Buggs way.

‘Move.’  Buggs warned.

‘No-one’s alow...’  The edge of Buggs steel helmet split his face wide open.  He crashed through the door and Buggs calmly trampled over the semi-conscious man.

‘What the hell are you doing?’  Lt Col D’Ord demanded, getting to his feet.

‘Orders from my platoon commander sir, I have to pit this straight in to your hand and deck anybody who tried to stop me.’

‘Just who is your platoon commander private -?’

‘Private Garrick sir, Private Murison sir.’

‘Make up your mind,’ he accepted the proffered pages.  ‘Are you Garrick or Murison?’

‘I’m Pte Garrick sir, Pte Murison is now our platoon commander.’

A chill ran down the CO’s spine.  ‘Are you 42 platoon?’

‘That’s right sir.’  Buggs watched impassively as the massive form of the RSM Ivan Muckle got to his feet.  ‘RSM, get someone to get that man out of here, then come back in and close the door.’

‘Yes sir.’

The RSM huckled two clerks on their way past.  They dragged the semi-conscious man away to get medical aid.  He came back in and closed the door just as the CO had finished reading the notes.

‘OK Garrick now we were told you might have a casualty and have a problem with your radio so all this is new to us.  So could you describe as briefly as possible what’s been happening?  Buggs quickly outlined the problems the platoon had been having in the past week and the day’s events. 

‘Did Murison say why he wasn’t re-occupying the positions I’d laid out for you.’

‘Aye,’ Buggs took a deep breath, ‘he said we’d already lost the advantage.  To try and re-occupy those positions would be a futile gesture that would probably cost the lives of the whole platoon.  An afore ye start shouting sir, that wasn’t just mortars that pounded us this morning that was full-blooded artillery at least 105mm’s.’

‘It’s all right Garrick I wasn’t going to start shouting, are you sure they were 105’s.’

‘This is my second tour sir.  I’ve had 105’s fired at me before, I’m sure.’

‘That’s good enough for me, go on.’

‘Well he said they’d probably mince us before we got back into those positions and anybody you sent up as reinforcements.’

The CO wandered over to the map.  ‘Do you know how many batteries were arrayed against you?’

‘I’m no sure sir, the last time I came under fire from 105’s there were three batteries.  I think there was at least twice that, and mortars.’

The CO’s eyebrows shot up, he looked at the RSM.  ‘This is beginning to sound like a Brigade attack.  Is he going to defend your present positions?’

‘No sir, he says they’re un-defendable.’

‘Where are they?’  Buggs filled in their positions.  ‘He’s right it is a bad position; they could swing right round behind him using the old road for cover.  So what is he going to do?’

‘Once we were in the pass he was going to have a go at getting to the OP and assess the situation for himself.  If he is wrong then he’ll stay in the positions we are in now but man the OP to keep an eye on things.  Once you get through with reinforcements you can redeploy the platoon yourself.’

‘Alright that’s good and if he’s right?’

‘If he’s right he’s going to pull the platoon out in rabble order to this position here.’  Buggs pointed to a spot on the map.

‘I’m sorry but what’s rabble order?’

Buggs sighed.  ‘He thinks these boys don’t expect troops to fight without officers, or, NCOs.  So if we bug out in shit state or rabble order as Jim put it, they’ll probably let them go.  But if they try and pull out in good military fashion they might realise their still facing disciplined troops and try and stop them.’

The CO looked a little incredulous.  ‘Where did you say he’d pull back to?’

‘Here,’ Buggs pointed to the spot in the pass again.  ‘He’s going to keep the three guns and the best shots in the platoon and set up a fire base there, then send the rest back down to reinforce HQ.  If they’re hot on their heels he’ll try and conduct a fighting withdrawal and send the best runners ahead to give you some warning.’ 

‘This turn in the pass here Garrick?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Why not this one there closer to your positions?’

‘Aye sir but still in direct line with their artillery, he thought the steep slopes either side might give good cover against the mortars as well if they bring them up.’

The CO studied the map.

‘Sir?’ the RSM asked.

‘It’s a good spot, a bloody good one.  This laddie has got his head screwed on the right way.  Anything else Garrick?’

‘No sir, he said you’d know what to do now.  All he wants to do is buy you enough time to get your arses into gear.’

‘Then I think we’d better get our arses into gear, RSM.’

Andy walked into a screaming match.  ‘Where’s Zeek?’ he asked a radio operator who pointed to the door behind which an argument was taking place.  Andy walked straight in and dumped the radio onto the signal officer’s desk.  Both men stopped arguing at the dishevelled state of both man and radio.

‘We need a new radio now Zeek.  Did ye tell the CO our PC and non-coms were taken out?’

Zeek was a tall thin dark headed man with a very shallow complexion, who had carved himself a niche as the best signals man in the Battalion.  The angry light that had been in his eyes a moment ago returned ten-fold.

‘Who’s responsible for this?’  Demanded the angry officer.  ‘Don’t you know it’s a court martial offense opening one of these?’

Zeek hauled him across the table by the lapels.  ‘Why don’t you people ever listen, why?’  Zeek shook him hard.  ‘If you’ve cost the life of just one of my friends up there, you’ll never live to see your own court martial.’  Zeek thrust him backwards; he tumbled over his chair landing hard.  The radio followed.

Andy was shocked.  He had never heard of Zeek losing his temper before, let alone assaulting anyone, it would be a great story to tell the boys, if they survived. 

‘Come on Andy we need to speak to the CO.’  ‘Buggs is doing that.  Jim sent him we a note.’

‘In that case, we’d better get things sorted at this end, you,’ He grabbed one of his signals staff.  ‘Go get one of the new radios from the stores, full combat rig and two spare batteries, move.’

By the time the CO, arrived Zeek was kitted out ready to go.

‘Where’s the RSO?’

‘Here sir.’  The man stumbled out of his office where he had been cowering.  ‘Sir I demand that man’s arrested, he attacked me.’

‘Did he now?’  That seemed to amuse him.  ‘Can you explain to me why I didn’t get the full message from 42 platoon?’

‘I, I thought it was a jock playing a prank sir.’

‘Jim doesn’t make stupid fucking jokes like that.’  Zeek went for him again; Andy managed to grab his webbing straps and held on.  The CO was surprised; he had known Zeek for a long time too.

The CO growled, ‘If I was you Sir I’d grab my rifle and get on the perimeter now before I order Grant to let him go.’

‘Yes, yes sir.’  The officer hurried to obey. 

He turned on Zeek.  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

‘I’m taking a radio up there.’

‘No you’re not; I need a warning order sent to Brigade and the company’s.’

‘I’ve a message prepared sir.’  Zeek handed him the message he had prepared.

‘Good but you’re still not going.’

‘But sir.’

‘Don’t bloody but me, do what you’re told.  Grant will take the radio.  I need you here to liaise with Brigade or can you suggest anyone else here with your experience.’

Zeek sighed, ‘No.’

‘Good now send this.  All stations to switch to secure nets.  Grant grab that radio and come with me.  You the RSM and Garrick are going straight back with a load of ammunition.’ 

‘Yes sir.’  Andy grinned; he turned back in the doorway for a second.  ‘Thanks Zeek, we’ll no forget.’

Zeek attempted a smile.  ‘Good luck Andy, tell them that.’

‘I will.’

Zeek turned back to his coding and Andy re-joined the CO.  ‘Meet the RSM and Garrick at the front door; they’ll pick you up there.’

Five minutes later the CO watched them drive off, they were back within the half hour.  The two privates looked stricken and the RSM grim.

‘They weren’t there so we carried on.  We were too late; they’ve cut the pass off with artillery fire.’

The CO sat back in his chair and eyed the two privates.  ‘I’m sorry gentlemen; we can only hope that most of them will make it through.’  His-eyes flicked to the RSM.  ‘If they’re already bombarding the pass then we must assume the attack has already began.  Order a general stand to.’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Would you two like to stay with the RSM and myself?’

Buggs and Andy passed a look.  ‘OK sir.’  Buggs spoke up.

‘Good.’  Mr. D’Ord grabbed his rifle from the floor.  ‘You can start by helping me fill magazines.’