Twilight 2000

By The Dawn’s Early Light Campaign

Mounted Turn Eight Grey Ghosts

They had pulled off the main road, and gone cross-country, to avoid the last patrol. The Poles seemed to be everywhere, conducting mop up operations for the Russians. For nearly two days they had been on the run since 5th Infantry Division Mechanized had gotton creamed by Ivan. Sergeant Langora had his trusty CAR-15 on the seat beside him as he tried to find the best route for the Hummer along this goat path the Poles called a secondary road. Staff Sergeant David Adams bounced and swayed as he manned the M-60LMG topside watching for any threats. The two Army Rangers, former members of  the 4th/12th Cavalry Squadron, had seen some nasty house to house fighting prior to the division being overrun. It would be dark soon and they needed to find a place to hole up for the night. Following close behind was Corporal Nikolas Lynch in the 2nd HMMWV his M-16 within easy reach, up until a few days ago he had been working at Division HQ as part of 5th CBTI (Combat Tactical Intelligence) then the crap hit fan. Riding with him was Staff Sergeant Gomez who had one hand on the Hummer frame and the other resting on the Mk 19 Grenade Launcher. Gomez was thinking about home and Texas as he scanned the countryside for potential ambushes. Lynch keyed the radio for a short low powered squirt, security be damned for the moment “Langora you read me, I got maybe 20 klicks more fuel left how about you over” pause “about the same...”

"This position seems as good as any to hold up. WE can use the extra rest too. We're getting close to Lesno though and I don't want to just stumble into the town in the dark.
We should send a contact team to check the place out. If Ivan is running all over the place, we definately don't want to be there

Having welcomed Croix into the fold, Hodges requests he redistribute some of his 40MM rounds to the other bloopers. About five to each at least. The next question is where in the column to place him, since he has a bumble bee. We move out at first light heading west traveling in spread staggered column. We're down to one horse per man. When we arrive at the RON, we establish the perimeter, picket the horses. We stop early enough to have a small smokeless fire to heat some water for "coffee" with our rations. Jess has his evening pipe, discussing the upcoming days. Lesno is the goal for now, but Gray has indicated he
thinks we should travel at night. That's not a bad idea, but we're close to the town and a night entry doesn't seem prudent; not since being mistaken for marauders. "How about Croix and Gray doing a recon to Lesno? Naw, Gray, your head is still too bad. Since Croix and Carley are ol' buds you two could double on the bike couldn't you, without too muc trouble? ‘No problem’ Do either of you speak Polish? ‘Nope’ Is there anyone here that speaks Polish? Check out the town from a distance. If there's alot of troop activity,
we'll make for another location, heading west. If it's relatively quiet, with security activities, we try to make contact. What do you think?" Everyone appears to concur.
 "For now, we'll spend tomorow here, and do the recon. We'll pull out sunup day after, wither for Lesno or points west."  During the night, Hodges checks the guards irregulerly,
but especiallyt he trooper he caught sleeping the night before. The only words spoken about the incidnet were "Just don't let it happen again, cuz we could all wake updead. I'd personally like to get ot Montana before I die,<smiles at the kid>" He realizes everyone is tired, and the next day will allow some needed rest for the men and horses. He sits quietly and thinks, getting 40 winks occassionally. As he makes his rounds, he gives words of
encourgaement and compliments. Everyone on guard is alert and watching his post, giving challenge during all spot checks. When the sun rises, he will check each of the horses over
carefully, paying special attention ot the backs, feet and mouths. He will use his meager supply of liniment as needed. All horses are in fair shape but a diet of grass with very little grain for the work load is gradually wearing them down. Any riders whose mounts are "substandard". will be schooled in proper care. Not an arse chewing, but constructive education on the importance of mount maintenance. everyone seems to be following the Cavalry Rule Horse 1st, Saddle Second, then yourself. After morning stables, Jess turns the watch officer duties over to the LT and gets some much needed sleep, four hours
at least, but six preferably.When he gets up, he will have some sausage and cheese form his stash.
Grey " Hey Sarges & LT.I would like to discuss something that has been nagging at me, Since my head has been clearing up I have been thinking. May be we should Hold up till Dark then move out. We  have been ambushed or stumbled on to the enemy a few too many times. Always during the day time. I also belive that we should be moving a little faster & farther if we want to escape from Poland. Load the horses up & march out.
Well what do you all think? "

   It was near midnite as the two Hummers pulled alonside and stopped, their fuel was down to the fumes. To their amazement the engine noise and blackout drive had spooked a couple of individuals who appear to be trying to get dressed quickly. Staff Sergeant Adams didn’t want anyone to get away and tip off someone else about their location so he tapped a short burst from the M-60 and yelled halt, identify yourselves as Staff Segeant Gomez readied the grenade launcher. The two halted and the male said Private James Frug US Army, while the female replied Private Amanda Brown US Army. The site of two half naked GI’s with M-16 in one hand and trousers in the other was more than the stressed out travellers could stand and they all cracked up laughing as Sergeant Langora said, “get your clothes, streaking went out of fashion a long time ago.

The gunfire had attracted the camp’s perimeter guard Staff Sergeant Molestein and Private Jones who alerted 1st Lt Krominoski and Sergeant First Class Hodges. After a few cautious exchanges involving out of date passwords, well known sports figures and a few tales that you could only pick up in American military training. The newcomers were welcomed into the camp. As the introductions were completed PFC Besada approached Sergeant First Class Hodges with a grin and said, “SIR,” Hodges looked at him and said, son I work I for living, in fact...Besada continued, “not any more Captain, by order of Major General Calvin Tyler Red Diamond Six {Commander 5th INF DIV(M)} you’re one of several resistance group leaders who have received a Battlefield Commission. Seems a Major Giles, Watcher Six,  has taken over as the new SF B-Team Leader and has a pretty good Intelligence Network. We’re one of three groups Ivan has targeted as high priority targets for disrupting the mop up of Fifth Division. The CEOI says its authentic, apparently the Old Man made it back to XI Corps HQ. Turning to Lieutenant Krominoski he said sir you’re to go to Poznan and meet with Captain Horation Martens 12th Engineers about a serious logistics find. Tyler isn’t getting any help from the Germans but he is trying to get as many stragglers back as possible. To that end he’s promoting effective leaders. By the way where is Gunnery Sergeant Gray.

Corporal now Gunnery Sergeant Gray wasn’t sure if the headache was due to his wound or receiving an unwanted promotion. Still as stood the morning watch he could have swore he heard...Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton old times there are not forgotton, look away, look away, Dixie Land  off in the distance.

As the newcomers settled into camp Specialist Croix and Carly old buddies from 2nd/21st Artillery hopped on Croix’s bike for a quick careful recon of Leszno. Hodges had stressed no heroics. Don’t stay to shoot, if you run into trouble, scoot. Carly you’re an F.O. do just that, observe. Fifteen minutes later they came up on a large farmhouse with several small, well tended, vegtable gardens. As Carly carefully shielded his subdued binoculers for a look he had to pass them over to Croix. Do you believe this? They could hear gypsy style music, smell fried chicken cooking, and saw a Confederate Flag flying from a TV antenna on top of the house. To their amazement they saw three obsolete American M-48A5 Patton Main Battle Tanks were parked in semi-circuler fashion behind the house. Near the tanks was a good size still going full blast. Close lines with laundry were run between them. The tanks looked beat up and rusted but otherwise servicable. Crates of supplies were stacked haphazardly. Approximately 12 G.I.’s were lounging around the vehicles. One appeared to be working on the engine of the third tank, while two were swabbing the bore of the lead vehicle. The remainder were chilling out sleeping, reading, or flirting with the girls. About a eight pretty girls dressed in old style long underwear, pettycoats and such were cooking, doing laundry, or giving  back rubs. An older heavy set trooper with Sergeant Stripes on his khakis and a cavalry saber hanging from his belt stood on the back porch of the house serenly looking everything over as one of the pretty girls refilled his wine glass.

The two members of the Grey Ghosts were pretty sure they hadn’t been spotted, hell this outfit didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Why should they... boose, broads, good food, and tanks to protect it all. As they hopped back on the bike and headed back to camp they thought the guys are never going to believe this.

Meanwhile back at camp Specialist Drake relieved Gunnery Sergeant Gray on the perimeter. He was happy as a kid in a candy store when the newcomers had given him 50 rounds for his M-60. Suddenly he hit the dirt and fired off a burst as yelled we got company...

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Weather is warm and sunny with a 70 degree temperature and clear skies. Next turn is due 12 Noon EST 31 January 2001 And Will Cover from 0600 to 1800 July 23, 2000

S-1 Administration

You got three days instead of the usual week for this turn so keep it short and to the point. The mounted group is a turn behind so I need to get them caught up and we’ve brought three new players and one reguler returning back on line. The motorized group will gain one new player which puts us up to 11 gamers (Grey Ghosts/Mounted 6 and O’Grady’s Irregulers 5)