TWILIGHT
2000
BY
THE DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT CAMPAIGN
GAME
TURN NINE MOUNTED
Captain Freestone had been given his orders. The last of the wounded had been loaded and was enroute from the Corps Rally Point. He was to take one of the last operational Hummer Ambulances and evacuate the last four nurses from the division casualty clearing station. Lieutenants Connors, Newman, Kelsog, and Fawon had barely had time to grab their 45’s and rucksacks as they shed their O.R. scrubs and changed into BDU’s. As the rearguard fell back under mounting Russian attacks the First Sergeant in charge said, “you Logan grab your mount and accompany that ambulance out of here I can only spare one man for an escort and you’re my only cavalry man move out.” Jason didn’t want to leave but Top had been quite clear, “I don’t have time to argue, get those Medical people back to our lines.” Captain Freestone nodded to the Top Sergeant as he through the vehicle in to gear…
Special Jacques Croix and Specialist James
Carly had hidden the motorcycle and advanced on the two story farmhouse less
than two klicks from Lesno. The two ‘cannon cockers’ from the 2nd/21st Field
Artillery had just recently reunited. Carly had been escaping and evading with
the Grey Ghosts ever since the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division had been
overrun and the Rally Point hit soon after. Croix had been back at XI Corps
Headquarters retraining on mortars. Assigned to a logistics convoy that now had
no division to resupply. They had been helping any friendly forces they could find.
Sergeant, uh captain Hodges words had been hammered home three times. Scoot
don’t shoot, Carly you’re an F.O. (Forward Observer) so make sure you do just
that observe. Several klicks down the road they dismounted from the bike to
check out a possible contact. The sound of gypsy music and the smell of fried
chicken had enticed their curiosity As they carefully inched there way forward
Carly observed with his subdued binoculers. He was so amazed that he said,
“Croix check this out you’re not going to believe what you see.” Croix took the
field glasses and had to agree. The farm was in pretty good shape with a
Confederate Flag flying from a rusted old TV antenna on the roof. Several well
tended vegatable gardens surrounded the house. Behind the house three obsolete
M-48A5 Patton Tanks were parked in semi-circle. They appeared rusted and in
need of paint but otherwise seemed fully servicable. Close lines were strung
between the tanks with GI issue uniform items spread amongs female civillian
attire. Crates of supplies and equipment were stacked haphazardly. A Medium
Still behind the tanks was going full blast. Approximately a dozen G.I.’s
lounged around in the shade drinking wine, reading or just listening to the
music. Eight very attractive girls in what looked like old fashion long
underwear (petticoats, corsets, ect...) were roasting chicken over several open
fires, pouring wine, or talking with the troops. Two G.I.’s seemed to be
swabbing out the barrel of one of the tanks and another had an individual, all
they could see was a pair of legs and lower torso working on the engine
compartment. All types of tracked vehicle tools were scattered on the back deck
of the tank. On the back porch of the farmhouse an individual in khakis with
sergeant stripes a Third Armored Division patch, and a cavalry saber hanging
from his belt accepted a glass of wine from one the pretty young women. He
appeared quite pleased with himself. He walked over to a large grill made out
of a 50 gallon oil drum sawed in half and covered with mesh screen. He pulled
out the saber and used it to turn over the steak and chops that were grilling
on it. Croix and Carly made there way back to the bike and said to each other,
man, is this for real. The guys are never gonna believe it.
Radio signal very
weak, in Russian, “Move prisoners to sector two we have additional work for
them there. No USO dollies comrad someone...fades
Radio Intercept on
standard NATO frequency
Hey Man like who's doing the shooting down the road. These Negative Waves are
like dampening the mood, mellow out, me an the boys need our rest, you can't
relax and enjoy life with all these negative waves...
Sgt. Langora was happy to see that him and
Adams were not the only ones on the run from Kaliz. It has been a vicious house
to house fighting in the city.
"Hi I'm Sgt. Sebastian Langora they call me "Seb or Rico" and
I'm glad to see some friendlies. It has been some vicious fighting the past
couple of days back at Kaliz. We were lobbing grenades from room to room and
shooting through wood walls, roofs and even through the floors. At the end it
all came to point blank range bursts of ammo that blew people's brain and guts
out! that was some horrendous sh%$! So I'm really ok about
seeing you guys...we need to get these reds stopped so we can win this war and
go home to the families...whatever maybe left...I hope". Sgt. Langora was
just fishing eating an MRE after a lite nap, when shots were fired from the
M-60. He drops to the ground, grabed his CAR-15; lock and load and told Adams,
"let's go to check what is going at the perimeter they may need our
help"
{Grey}While on watch in my hole. Having just heard about Jesse's appointment
I'm laughing in my head, & there is a smirk on my face. Upon that I have
had some back promotions & now a field promotion have also made me smile at
the thought of my back pay. The smile quickly vanishes as does my personal
freedom. SHOOT !!!)A few minutes after being relived of watch & still in
the area. (Trying to figure out how much money I'm going to get or getting.)
Everyone in camp is
awke as you scramble around try and decide what to do two short bursts of M-16
come back your way, no one is hit
Two more bursts zing
out, these were pretty close to Grey.
Radio Intercept
Grey Ghost 3 to Grey Ghost Six over...
Croix to base camp we're taking fire, bike got trashed, pinned down one sniper
but we could use some help. Carly's hit pretty bad. Over...
" Cease Fire, Cease Fire,Save your
Ammo, Identify target." Dropping down carefully while yelling at Drake.
Scope out the situation with scope mounted on my Barret.50. The area where
Drakes barrel is pointed guides me. Two
figures scrambling away from a bullet riddled Bike, at least 10 holes I
can see. Motor bike same Model as the one our scouts went out on. Range 300yds.
I call out a challenge.( No response.)
As you call
out a head pops up and back down very quickly, Grey with his scope spots US
Kevlar but didn't have a clear shot and wasn't sure to take one in any event.
You had a clear shot
for about three seconds, but that sniper sixth sense seemed to say wait, that
damn sure looked like Croix
Two of the
newcomers move up; Adams and Langora,
another short burst of M-16 fire come no where close
Jess, Captain Hodges, moves up and takes
cover about 10 meters to the right from Gunny and Drake. He spies the shot up
bike.
"Damn it Drake. What in God's name possed yu to just start shooting?
That's our recon you, or are you blind. You little burst has now alerted every
Ivan within five miles of our location.""I got the right Gunny, take
the left."Jess cautiously moves right, from cover to cover."Croix,
that you boys?"
{Jess M4Car and M79 (5HE) trying to locate the bikers}
" I need volunteers to flank left
& right. Drake your staying with me & no shooting unless I say so, they
might be friendlies." To those moving by to flank. "Be careful keep
the center open so we can shoot. They may be trigger happy about now."
Langora!!! Let's move! I need cover and we
got one of us hit really bad! Could be friendly fire but I'll go find out.
Gomez comes back from the latrine still trying to run, hold onto his MP-5 and
button his pants all at the same time. He finally gives up and stops to button
his pants enough to keep them on. He comes back in and wondering what all the
shooting is about. "Hey, who's shootin' up what and why? And to think I
wanted to get some shut-eye." The last part muttered to no one in
particular.He takes up a position covering the right flank, but does not move
forward.
Sprinting off, Adams moves to where the fire came from but slightly off to the
left. "Someone tell them Doc's coming so I don't get shot!"
Sergeant Langora approaches Gray asess the situation quickly, ask him
for cover
and tell him that Adams and I will be flanking to the left. He 'will also tell
Gray that when we ID the personnel
approaching I will either yell cease fire if they are friendlies or open fire
to let them know to lift & shift any fire of there own(if any) because we
will be assaulting. We will flank the approaching personnel. I'll flank using
cover and concealment and 3 to 5 second rushes. When I guess close enough I'll
try to identify the element to see if they are friend or foe. I belive this
could be our friendly's coming back from patrol and a trigger happy M-60 Gunner
that squeezed out some ammo that gave away our position. Once I can established
the identification I will yell cease fire if they are friendlys and a positive
ID has been established...if they are ID as foe I will open fire double tap to
the closest target let the base line of fire know that we are flanking. If I
hit him then I'll switch to the other target, if Adams hasn't shoot him down
already. If I miss I'll re-double tap the Ivan bastard.(that's if they are
unfriendly only).
Exchange of gunfire,
three shot tore up the ground near a shallow depression you dropped into, your
still about 200 yards away your cover man put down an effective burst and you
saw an M-16 barrel jerk upwards and then drop out of site
"Don't throw smoke, Repeat Do Not
throw smoke that's an order. NO SMOKE." Captain passes gives order to
move. "Drake you stay here & watch my Weapon,& no touching or
shooting." Unlimber my AK-47 & ready it for single fire, move out on a
shallow left
flank maneuver. After 150 yds. kneel low & call out. "Carly? Croix? I
figured you too would be better shots. You shoot like Red Legs."Quickly
move to the left further out.
SGT. Langora thinks that is our recon
patrol that has been hit by friendly fire... he will yeld at the soldier with
the M-16 that just poke his head the running password outload & some other
identifying challenge and passwords(while taking cover in the ground
ditch):" Hey soldier stop shooting and ID yourself.....you the one with
the M-16 I have you covered so don't attempt anything stupid or I'll shoot you
down....advance to be
recognize; we are here to help! id. "what is the name of the of the young
lion in the lion king movie"(Americans should know that SGT. Langora will
wait for the response in silence while behind cover:
SIMBA(is the answer)....if the wrong answer is given or the soldier cannot be
positively ID ...he will get ready to shoot if an opportunity is available in
which he can identify the target as foe! if not he will try to approach the
"hostile position" by high crawling from cover to cover to try to get
close without beign shoot and out of sight of the "hostile" to see if
he can capture him without shooting....SGT. Langora wants no friendlies
killed and if it is a hostile a pow will be good for questioning.
Sergeant Langora quickly went flat as the
burm in front of him got ripped up by and M-16 burst. Staff Sergeant adams
quickly put down some suppressive fire and the M-16 stopped shooting.
I hear a faint Radio transmission from my ear plug on my shoulder. I replace
the plug and put out a call. "Grey ghost 5 to Grey ghost 3 ,Grey ghost 5
to grey ghost 3 Over."
The two Rangers were
moving up one flank, the Marine Gunny and Pigman on the other, the lead Ranger
took some fire, his partner put down some effective suppressive fire. Hasn't
been any return fire for a couple of minutes
"Anyone hit?"
Grey Ghost 3 to Grey Ghost Six over...
repeating earlier message Croix to base camp we're taking fire, bike got
trashed, pinned down one sniper but we could use some help. Carly's hit pretty
bad. Over...
Ghost 3 this is Six. Copy last. You are
victims of friendly fire. Help's on the way.
Sergeant Adams moved in with his doctor's
kit while slinging the .30-06. The Ranger Medic quickly got down to business
Croix is badly hit with a belly wound that
punched his kevlar and chest hit that didn’t but broke a couple of ribs.
Fortunately the kevlar slowed it down enough that bullet didn’t penetrate very
far. NATO 7.62 Adams commented as he removed it. Carley had caught one in the
arm that had exited cleanly and fortunately missed the bone. The wounded were
brought back to camp and everyone was amazed to hear their story.
"I agree with SSG. Adams about making contact with the Patton guys. One
thing is for sure our recon patrol should bring more details on the situation
to expect of these Patton guys. Once they let us know what they found out, we
can either head that way to try to establish contact or we can get the hell out
of here since our position has been compromised." "I would also like
to point out that the idea of exchanging for food or gas
would be good. Sh#$ I even think that these guys are tire to from pulling their
defense perimeter guard(if they have one , but they should)so maybe we can
offer taking turns in helping them guard their AO. for supplies, lodging, fuel,
more fuel & who knows maybe even women...ha ha aha!!!"" Depending
on how the act they may even be able to join us..I know a tank is a bigger
target but is also the first line of defense" "You know now that I
think about it those soldiers could possibly use some training and that I can
instruct them in...for some good exchanges that will benefit the group".
" Well and if these Patton guys are marauders and we decide not to avoid
contact with them, we have to think that they have supplies that we can use;
OUR LAST OPTION SHOULD BE!!! LAST OPTION AND AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS IF POSSIBLE
SHOULD BE: a well planed raid will take them by surprise..even
though they heard us already. Tanks are slow starters and they need range to
use their guns effectively, so we could problably inflitrate their camp and if
you want lets leave them your horses and take some tanks...ha haah a!!!
I
THINK THIS OPTION SHOULD BE ONLY A JOKE..I HOPE!"
"I don't think that will be the best idea and I would like these guys to
be friendly but if the aren't it can definetly be well plan, executed and
achived...if that is what it has to be done I'm up for it, but I sure would
like the hot chow and the women better..ha haah ..ok!"
"what do you men think, SFC., Sir".
"By the way, we haven't chance to get to know each other but i sure will
like the opportunity since ours lives depend on our teamwork".
After the wounded were made comfortable and the camp routine established...
First Lieutenant Krominoski said, “Sarge uh Captain Hodges I was just going to
take a few men with me, but if you want to escort me that’s fine.
Everyone started to grab a bite to eat,
did routine weapon maintenance, the mounts had already been tended to-of
course. What next, the Hummers were almost bone dry...Gunny Grey made the
rounds as the new top kick just as he seen countles other First Sergeants do
before him.
General description for Gsgt. GREY,
You see a man who appears to be in his mid 20's, but is actually in his mid
30's. Under 6' tall,with a good build. Looks average or plain does not stand
out ,disappears in groups of people or anywhere for that matter. The only
outstanding feature are his piercing eyes they are normally hazel green, when
happy bright green , when P.O. they're silver grey. He has short brown hair
& is balding,but does not care. Usually sports 3 days worth of beard. On
his head is a O.D. triangle bandage as a headrag. On top of that is a beat up
looking boonie hat, with bits of camouflage & leaves in it & small
corks tied to the brim hanging on strings 2"-4" long. The BDU's are a
bit salty with a few repairs. With only name tapes & service stencils. You
can see the shadows of Corporal Stripes. Now we get to the scuffed up boots
which will never pass inspection again, but are perfectly serviceable & in
good condition.
Getting to know a little about GREY. You will pick up on this stuff.
People call me many thing but I respond best to Grey. I have a very serious
demeanor, or look. But I have been seen to smile, not by many. Will almost
always be seen carrying his rifle or in her presence. Also usually in web gear
& butt pack, unless bathing. Does not like persons touching his gear &
or weapons.
Grey's background, when he is willing to talk about it.
I never talk about my life before the military. I joined the Army at 24 &
made it through ranger school. I was the oldest man in my class. I was sent
back to my unit. I got sick of the B.S. Army politics so I joined the Marines.
The Marines sent me through their basic. They found I shot expert & that I
am morally flexible. So they sent me to sniper school & I barely finished.
I was then shipped off to Poland in 97 for a 13 month tour. I re-upped for
another & got fragged by some heavy arty half way through. I spent the other
6 months in a hospital in the states. Still waiting for my stripes for
re-upping. I got reassigned to a recon squad they needed a sniper. We were
supposed to go to Mexico but they shipped us to Poland. ( CRAP! ) My team was
killed off by a boobie trap. So
I joined the 5th. ( Nearest unit ) So here we are.
Ok Gunny,
Sergeants, B.s.ing can wait. The
encounter is resolved, Friendly fire isn't! Enough said! Our scouts, have
informed us there is an armor unit ahead. Are they friendlies?
Jess will have everyone pack up, and the unit will move to make contact with
the tankers, since the Hummers need fuel, and there appears to be fuel there.
Caution is the word,
and Drake is no longer on the pig! It's back in the pack. Drake sulks but takes
an Ak-47 captured earlier The gunner is to be determined. Ideas Gunny?
Lets see if we can mooch some fuel to get us to Leszno, and if they have any
idea as to the situation in Leszno.
Then escort the LT to Poznan area to contact the engineer. It's not so far out
of the way really. Out of the way of what?
Jesse Hodges, Captain, Infantry, Commanding?
shees who would have thought.
Captain Freestone was bushed after three
days constant running even with nurses taking turns driving no one had got much
rest. Specialist Logan was equally bushed and his horse nearly spent despite
the frequent periods of rest and skilled care. They had avoided several
encounters through Polish carelessness and Logan’s eagle eye had steered them around
several hostile trouble spots as well. Suddenly out of no where two Hummers and
dozen mounted troops all carefully concealed sprang the carefully laid ambush.
The two Rangers had detected the vehicle approaching. Captain Hodges and Gunny
Grey working as the well practiced team they had become had quickly deployed
the Grey Ghosts for battle. It was hard to tell who was more relieved when both
sides realized how close they had come to a Friendly Fire Situation. Captain
Hodges thought…they’re learning, thank God for that.
#############################################################################
Skies clear
and temperature warm mid sixties. Turn Ten will cover 1800-0600 24 Jul 2000 and
is due Midnite EST 17 February
