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Mar 14, 2003
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THE DOGS OF WAR: M.I.A COMPANY CHRONICLES


By the members of M.I.A Company
Logo By Quartermaster Alexandru H "Hawkeye"



"War is a game! A game, where the ultimate stakes are......life or death"
,
Capt. 2Coats to an un-named British official, August 1939.


In the Beginning

ON THE BRINK OF WORLD WAR 2: The year is 1939. The hot, warm weather of July had reached its peak, and now in the early days of August was beginning to wane. Autumn would soon begin to close in.


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The London Skyline, 1939

It had proved to be a typical British summer. The gentlefolk of this proud land went about their daily business. The last few months had seen the stirrings of naked aggression from Germany. Their chancellor, Adolph Hitler and his fellow Nazi’s had threatened war, if the international community did not agree with his demands.

For the moment, world leaders such as Prime Minister Chamberlain had conceded to the German Chancellors demands. It was hoped that appeasing such aggression would satisfy his warmongering posturing. This policy of capitulation was favoured by most of the leaders of the guarantor countries that had signed up, to the accords of The Treaty of Versailles. Yet, all members of this treaty recognised that sooner rather than later, the Führer would demand too much and their bluff would be called. Therefore, if Germany was intent on its march to war, all haste in preparation would be required, to be made.

As with all things British, the citizens of the mighty colonial empire held a stiff upper lip in the midst of this crisis. Likewise, in the other countries of this world the common people went about their business as per usual, but with a certain amount of apprehension and anxiety.



LONDON, ENGLAND: Seated in the basement of an exclusive restaurant near Whitehall, the centre of the seat of power, sat two figures.


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The secret sponsers of MIA Company at the restaurant

They sat opposite each other in a corner booth in dim light. On their platters lay the remains of the oversized portions that had been devoured an hour earlier. With dinner finished and pudding consumed, each man now held a brandy glass and one of the men held a large cigar in between his right index and middle fingers which he puffed all too frequently.

The true nature of their dining together was to conceal the real reason of their meeting. The true nature was to discuss what they could clandestinely achieve, to prepare for what both believed, would be an inevitable, and great and terrible war that was on, the horizon. They both agreed that at this time only one thing could be done. This was the creation of secret elite army unit.

This elite unit that would be tough, resilient, highly skilled, highly motivated and ready at a moments notice, to fight on the side of good over the side of evil. This secret unit would draw upon volunteers throughout the world, whose specialist skills would be perfect for the dangerous and risky missions they would be tasked in completing. The name of this unit….........Missing In Action Company or M.I.A COMPANY.
 
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Urgent Preparations

Devon, England: In a small corner of the British Isles, lies the solemn green field’s county of Devon. The county serves the needs of farmers and country folk alike.

Not much goes on during the days and nights of the year, in this region of the country, except the well versed farm governed work regime. Even though war is brewing the work ethic of farm life continues to be practiced religiously.

It was the county's rural qualities that first attracted Captain Coats to this region of the country. Formerly of his Royal Majesty’s Army and now a member of British Military intelligence he was recalled from his intelligence gathering mission in Germany to meet with a V.I.P. In mid August, after returning from his duties in Nazi Germany, the legendry Winston Churchill a parliamentary minister in the British government had orchestrated a meeting with him to discuss a proposition.

This proposition was the formation of a secret army unit to battle what had been described as a terrible evil that would inevitably cause another Great War. Immediately, Captain Coats had been intrigued and understood the threat that was encroaching over the horizon. He discussed the plans of Mr Churchill at great depth.

Once all his questions had been satisfied he had accepted the post on the condition that the chain of command bypassed the normal structure in place. Churchill reassured him that the chain of command consisted of himself, the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain and a very senior staff officer who he would appoint at a more opportune time. Captain Coats was also reassured that he would get the men and equipment he wanted and have a large budget from which to draw upon. At the very end of the meeting, Churchill shook the Captains hand and looking him directly in the eyes declared that it was to remain a national secret and was not to be discussed with anyone else.

Soon after accepting the post, Captain Coats set about finding the ideal site for a secret base. The location that he finally chose was a small area of farmland, to the west of Exeter.

The base camp was built in the record time of two weeks, by the end of August the base camp was complete [more or less].

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A view of Camp Ultimate's offices

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Inside one of the barrack buildings

During this time recruits from all over the country and beyond came and went as Captain Coats reviewed the potential of each recruit. Only the elite would do. By now the first round of recruits were already being put through their paces and being given the very best training that the British Army could deliver.


Camp Ultimate, West of Exeter: It was early September 1939. Captain Coats looked out at the parade ground where the various platoons drilled.

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The men of MIA Company drill on the parade ground

A knock on the door make him flinch.

Coats – “Come in!”

A member of his communications team marched in and placed a sheet of paper on his desk. He stood to attention awaiting further instruction. Captain Coats picked up the piece of paper from his desk and read it intently. A flicker of the butterflies washed across his stomach.

On the note was written ‘WAR – Germany had stated its DOW on the nation of Poland. The note went on to describe the alert status that the unit should be on and that the company’s first mission had been authorised. It ended by stating that the mission operational brief would be sent within the hour.

Captain Coats stood on the parade ground of Camp Ultimate.

The men of the new secret military unit stood in three ranks formed up in the letter U in the middle of the parade ground. The siren, one of many that would sound across the country in the next few days had been turned off by the Company Quartermaster. Captain Coats sombrely addressed the company with the news that all of them had expected to come, but not so soon.

Coats – “Men it seems that Nazi Germany has done what we feared it would do, it has declared war on the sovereign nation of Poland.” As we speak, German tanks are rolling across Poland.”

There was no sound OR movement from the men. Captain Coats continued.

Coats – “With this in mind I have received an order to undertake our first mission in response to Herr Hitler’s intent. The mission brief will be held in two hour’s time.”

With that, he asked Corporal Exterous and Quartermaster Alexandru H. to ensure that volunteers for the first squad to see action were equipped and ready for briefing in that time. Captain Coats turned to head back to his office and await the delivery of intelligence documents that were being sent. A plane could be heard passing overhead. Coats looked up just in time to see a small package being dropped. ‘Ah he thought, Whitehall being efficient again’ as he went to collect the intelligence documents that were being dropped.
 
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Mission Briefing – Operation Schnapps

Camp Ultimate, briefing hut - two hours later: Just over two hours later, the men who had been selected for the company’s first combat mission, gathered in the briefing hut.

Captain Coats stood at the head of the room where a large wall covering chalkboard was located. Directly in front of the board, but to the left of Coats a projection screen was intentionally positioned. At the rear of the room was a slide projector containing the slides for the mission briefing.

As the last of the volunteers strode in Captain Coats signalled to Quartermaster Alexandru H, known as ‘Hawkeye’ to draw the blinds, turn off the lights and begin the slide projection. As he did so, the men settled down and ceased their excited discussions.

Coats looked at the men sat in the three deep rows of chairs facing the screen and began to address them.

Coats – “Ok gentlemen. This is it, this is the big one!”

Morephus506 – “About fecking time!”


The men sniggered at his overexaggerated remark and then settled down to let Captain Coats continue.

Chancellor Hitler of Germany has declared war on our ally Poland! Prime Minister Chamberlain has declared war with the full support of the Commonwealth and France.

This means that we are likely to be deployed into Poland within the next week or so.”


There was mumbling from some of the men in the room. Coats let the men finish before continuing.

Coats – “Before we are shipped out to fight the real war, we are to undertake a rescue mission.”

Coats signalled to Hawkeye to display the first slide of the briefing.

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Profile of Mission Objective 1


Coats – “The mission is codenamed, Operation Schnapps. Our first objective is to rescue a man our prime minister sees as a vital person in the ‘grand scheme of things’. His name is Kurt Schuschnigg. He was the Austrian Chancellor before his illegal removal from office by the German chancellor.

A British Intelligence operative has identified the area that they believe the ex-chancellor of Austria is being held. It is believed the ex-chancellor is being held in a prison camp located near an airfield in western Austria.”


Coats signalled to Hawkeye to display the second slide. Then he continued with an outline of the plan.

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Ariel Photograph of airfield 11


Coats – “This is ariel photograph taken a few days ago by one of our operatives. It shows airfield 159, located in western Austria. It is believed that the ex-chancellor is being kept their by his captors, until the Hitler government decide what to do with him.

We gentlemen are going to take advantage of this delay and rescue Herr. Schuschnigg before he can be spirited off to a more secure location. As you can see from the photo the prisoner camp is located rather near an airfield.

Here is the plan! We are to be airdropped into a large field located at position DZ, via Switzerland. Once we reach the ground, we are to form up at rally point 1.

Once all members are accounted for, we are to move to waypoint 2, a bridge that connects the air field and camp to a battalion of the former Austria army. Once this waypoint is reached, demolitions are to be placed on the bridge, to blow it up and stop any speedy reinforcement of the airbase. The destruction of this bridge is mission objective 2.

Once this is achieved we are to proceed to waypoint 3a and infiltrate the prison compound, whilst avoiding the enemy presence. The camp is surrounded by a barbed wire fence which will need to be cut without drawing attention to ourselves.

The ex-chancellor is located in a prison hut somewhere in the vicinity of waypoint 3b. There are guard towers located around the prison camp.”


Hawkeye displayed the next briefing slide at Coats’ prompting.

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Photograph of the prison compound


Coats - "We have received information that not all the towers are manned. Especially, the middle tower located next to the barracks. The barracks are manned by Luftwaffe infantry."

The next slide was flicked into view, by the quartermaster.

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Photograph of one of the South East Guard Tower

Coats - "Once the ex-chancellor has been identified he is to be brought with us, through the other side of the campus and straight to the airfield that neighbours the prison camp.

Once there, we are to requisition a transport plane and fly back to Switzerland. If we see the chance we are to fulfill mission objective 3, the destruction of as many enemy fighters as possible."


Hawkeye flicked the final slide into view.

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Photograph of Junkers JU-52 transport plane

Coats - "If for whatever reason we have to abort the mission, we are to make our way to the hamlet to the east of the camp. An operative will be there waiting for us to get us to another airfield and a transport plane ready to take us of the country. The password will be ‘Singapore Sunshine’, which the operative will reply, ‘is great in April’.

The site is home to 11th Jadgdeschwader Squadron. Among the staff officers, pilots and support staff, there are approximately four platoons, sixty or so men in the camp and its vicinity. One platoon usually patrols the surrounding area, whilst one mans the guard towers and patrols the camp. The other two platoons are located in the camp barracks in case of trouble."


With that Captain Coats thanked 'Hawkeye' and opened the floor to any questions.

Coats - "Thanks, Hawkeye!! Gentlemen, questions please?!"
 
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The Pointman is the lead man on any Search and Destroy mission. Your job is to spot the enemy before he spots you. If you don't spot them first, your chances of living longer than 7 seconds is greatly diminished.

That was one of the first thing's I was told when I joined the Army. As a young boy with brown hair and sharp blue eyes my mother always said that I was big for my age, and in a small town that was a good thing right. Young lady's looked at me and would smile, I never lacked having a girlfriend. I played on the football team the coach loved my size 6' 3" and 250lbs. I could dominate any other guy that went against me. But now I know better, now I know that size is not a good thing on a battlefield. My first week in boot camp, I noticed most of the other guys were smaller than me, so in my arrogance I belived that size scares people right this would be just like school or so I thought. Wrong Drill Sargent Waters (I'll never forget the man) picked me out right away. Waters was a small man only 5'7" tall and slightly built said he wanted me for an example. Fifty men were handed a small little acorn, then he walked us 40 paces away turned around and ordered the men to throw the acorns at us. I must have been hit 30 times, he was hit 5. Side by side the message was clear "you will always aim at the easier target" and I was the easier target.

Those are the lessons one learns the hard way. Now after a few years my mind is sharper not so full of it's own ego, maybe I'll live longer than those first 7 sec.

When they told me about this special outfit starting up to fight the German Nazi's, I was over-joyed at the thought of real combat, finally my US Army training will be put to use. After speaking to my Commander they granted me a extended leave, he was more than happy to give me one. The long ocean trip was uneventful I'll never know how other men do it, living on one of these floating tin cans. Sailors moved around fast doing all this and that makes a man's head spin. I've never liked boats. England, the first thing I noticed about this country was the weather, where is the sun, is it always this cold here? Once we arrived at port we quickly were hurded aboarded a truck with enclosed steel bars. I guess it must be dangerous here.The location was provided by the ever so helpful Sargent at the dock, said this old dirt road would take us to the place. After 40 minutes of riding the long winding road filled with mudholes and the deepest ruts I've ever seen we finally arrive at some sort of base camp. There were men everywhere some so wet behide the ears you can see a bottle of milk in there hand. I'm told everyone needs to meet with some higher up named Captin 2Coats, fine by me I know how to handle myself around officers. Seeing the other soldiers coming out of the main office room, the look in their eyes told me all about these men it screamed "Weakness". My chance to show something different came soon enough.

The room smells of cigars and booze. Maps litter the floor, like a child was here having a tantrum, the lone desk is full of papers. One such paper grabs my attention it reads my volunteer's. I cant make out the name's on the list but I can tell there are very few signatures on it. Behind all this paper sits a man that has entirely to much on his shoulders, when his eyes meet mine I was surprized to see a kindred spirit, shame I believe he only saw another dead man walking.

"Sir. Recuit Fade reporting for duty Sir". Captin 2Coats looks at the new recuit his eyebrow's raised (odd an american here) you can see the man thinking about how America has decided to sit this one out, hard to understand why one would come so far just to get shot. Captin 2Coats starts talking "So let me ask you a few questions..."

The meeting goes well I believe, they have not told me to get out yet. Some nameless soldier tells me where to find the Quartermaster's office, to gear up. My god is this the best they have to offer, these relics? Once my pack is full the next thing to do is find the barracks, I see alot of empty beds as I enter the small building we of this company will call home. It's good to know that we will be shipping out soon, death by collasping roof would not look good on a tombstone. Apparently not everyone is cut out for this company. I'll soon find out who my other teammates are and I cant help but wonder if I should be scared.
 
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the sniper he can kill you before you see him.

The best sniper in the UK is a man who goes by the name of ladybug we don’t know his real name so it ladybug. it is said that MI6 used him for some mission but it has not been confirmed by them. Report by MIA company and MI6 Intelligence

ladybug opens the door to the barracks and see some people who look like they just got hear. one of the ask how I got hear.
well I as from Scotland and have always been a good shot with a gun so I became a sniper in the army but that did not last long. ater that I do some work witch I cant say much about what when that was done they sent me hear.

1st Sept 1939 Germany DOW Poland. notice for a mission was on a bored and I was one of the first to sing up lets hope they need a sniper
 
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Blitzkreig... It was... familiar, somehow. All those months in hiding, the boat to Sweden, the escape from the German agents over the Norwegian border and then at last, the airplane to Brittain... He had been given surely a dozen different codenames by the Brittish intelligence since he established contact with them that rainy spring day, and one of them stuck with him.

Blitzkreig, then... His real name? It didn't matter, he was in a company of strangers and mavericks. No time for friendship, especially not with the enemy, it seemed. But it didn't matter, he hadn't come here to be friends with them, he was here for his own reasons. Reasons he didn't relish being reminded of...

It hadn't been easy convincing the captain of including a former Fallshirmjäger in the company, but it had to work whatever the costs, he wanted to be a part of this. He wouldn't get his father back, but he would make them pay. At 1.88 metres, weighing something around 85 kilos, muscular enough to crack a mans spine in a deadly embrace, he would make sure they did. But he would have to work alone, he was sure of that. He, if anyone in the company, would be able to infiltrate right under the sentries noses without them seeing anything wrong. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, he would've been transfered to the SS right away if he hadn't volunteered for the Fallshirmjägers. But now, it was time for the first mission, in a country he was very familiar with, Austria.

Blitzkreigs hand slowly stroked the Edelweiss tucked in his breast pocket while he listened to the mission briefing. He had climbed a good way to get that, the mark of a man who dared and survived. He once again reminded himself of where he was, this was no time for daydreaming. He nodded in unison with the others when the Captain explained key objectives and showed the map of the area. He was more than ready, finally he would get out of this hole, but one thought stuck in his mind. Why am I helping these people? He would just have to wait and see...
 
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Why am I here? A 19 year old American with no war experiance to speak of, why would they accept me??

I grew up in a quiet town in Ohio. For as long as I can remember I have always had a gun in my hand. If it be plucking birds out of the sky at age 5 or killing 12 point deers in one shot at 13, hunting and guns have always been my life.

So it was natural that at the age of 16 I ran away from home and joined the US army. With my great markmanship, I quickly rose to join one of the "elite" units of the US Army, the Rangers. I spent my time there untill my commanding officer came to me with an intriguing proposition. He told me about the secret multi-country fighting force that England was constructing. He said it would be in my best interest to "tryout" for it. So I did.

Upon arriving in England my head was full of exciting adventures and missions I would be undertaking. When I made it to the camp I had a brief meeting with Captain 2Coats, who told me I was an eccentric young man but I would fit the bill for the MIA.

Now sitting here listening to the briefing of the mission we are about to partake in, reality is crushing in one me. I have always been the hunter. I have never been shot at. I was going to be the 12 point deer.....
 
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Hanging back is a barrel-chested old American cavalryman with a heavy mustache and a cynical expression by the name of Kelley. He is listening with one ear while he cleans and oils a big Thompson 'gangster gun', the one with the hefty ammo drum shaped like a land mine.

The only thing to distinguish him from a British regular--besides that ugly submachinegun--is the flash 'Kansas' on his shoulder above a sunflower patch. Onto the patch is pinned the crossed sabres of the cavalry with the number 7 nestled in them. At his belt hangs a small drawstring bag, containing the company bugle--suitably wrapped in cloth to prevent an unwanted clinking noise.

"No questions, Cap," he drawls, taking a quick belt of bourbon from a bota in the grand tradition of the horse soldier. "Don't forget the wire cutters. Let's go get this von Shushing, or whatever his name is. (He must not like to hear people talk.) But Ah got one suggestion: just in case it turns out that Team Adolf is pissed enough at us to play Red Baron, we better flat the tires of the fighters with a few quick bursts even if we can't torch 'em. If you really want to have fun, flat just one tire on each, then watch the fun when Heinrich tries to take off. Chances are they won't look real close if they're in a hurry, and it might be some fine in-flight entertainment as we take off, seeing as how the Ju-52 probably doesn't have any movies except of Adolf screaming at big crowds, and Ah don't speak German anaway."

jkk
 
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Exterous walked into the briefing room and took a chair. At the ripe old age of 20 here I was, an American, sitting in a briefing for an elite units about to go on the first British mission of WWII. It was such a mix of nationalities here. I had already made good friends with Fade, who had apparently played football as well. The English didn't play it quite right and it was good to see another real football palyer here.
I listened intently and held his comment that the Me-109s in the picture were bi-planes. My quick wit and tacticle foresight had gotten me to the rank of Corporal, but had also gotten me in trouble.
While listening to the briefing, I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that I could die. I thought back to the day I joined up.....

"Sign me up sir!" I had asid to the recruiting officer.
"But you're an American son."
"Yeah, but I live near Canada. That makes me close enough right......eh?"
The officer considered, but he knew the UK's MP was low so he let me join up.
In training, I wasn't the strongest or the fastest, but I was the most steady. I was the middle-of-the-road of the best, able to fill in where ever I was needed. With that "You need it done, I can do it" attitude I was quickly recruited for the elite MIA company. I looked forward to fame from my "infamous" missions. What a young fool I had been.......

2coats' "Dismissed" jolts me back to the present. People start filing out to gather equipment. I walk up to 2coats and offer a suggestion. "If we have anymore room, maybe we could pack in a few AP mines to place on the runway. Might screw them up for a couple of days."
"Well, we'll see if we have room son." He sees that I'm nervous and clasps me on the should like my father used to "You'll do fine son. Just remember your training."
I am all smiles and confidence "Damn Krauts won't know what hit them."
I walked off to gather my equipment loadout, not knowing if i was really that confidnent.
 
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Sitting through another briefing in a darken room with stale air. Man, after three months on this rainy little Island and I still cannot understand a word of what these people say. Luckily, there are a few other maverick Americans among the lot of us. So at least there are some people that are here under the same circumstances as myself.

I grew up out in California, land of Hollywood and movie stars. Boy, I am as far as can be from my home town. Almost in a different world all together. First off, my name is Pinkus, don't laugh, my parents were both drunks and were not good with names. Hell, I do not even know what kind of name that is either. I'll tell you one thing, it sure is a hit with the ladies.

Always one looking for adventure, I started traveling the country working a few odd jobs and passing through some schools. Nothing realy could keep me occupied so I just kept on living a nomadic life. Somehow, I managed to find myself in England. Of all palces I don't know why, but somehow I made it here. Since cash is a little low, I am stuck here for a while but that will change. In an effort to raise some quick cash, I entered into some "slightly" illegal businesses where I met some contacts that told me about a special military unit being raised to fight the Nazis. Always a supporter of the underdog, I just had to volunteer for the fight.

Fighting the Germans will be hard since I had some relatives who fought for the Kaiser in the Great War. Funny thing is that I had some relatives fighting for the French and also for the Americans. So there is a possibility that I might be fighting my own family, but it is just a risk I will have to take. I my not be a crack shot or a leader like some of my compatriots here but my abilities to scrounge for food and such and my charismatic skills will be a valuable asset.

How did I get here? Still don't know but it sure was a long trip.

Quartermaster, where's my damn beer ration? I don't have all day. How do you expect me to take on Adolf if I do not have a pint in my hand?
 
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Listening to the briefing only with half his attention, Morpheus began checking over his weapons in his mind.

Thompson-check. Webley- check, knife-check, grenades... hm, need one more grenade. Have to check with the quartermaster 'bout that one.

He'd always considered himself a soldier of fortune. Bouncing from branch to branch of the American Military, he found himself at last settling in MIA Company. He was ready for this mission. But were the Germans ready for him?
 
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New meat for us, Commander?

Let's hope not. Our first mission must be a success, no matter what we'll do. We barely have any support from the political forces and a failure would compromise us, Churchill and the british army for sure.

Hmmm, that is a pretty bad season for hunting germans...way too little hunters and too much pray...

Don't forget that the pray has tanks!


Hawkeye leaned on a chair and returned to his inner thoughts. Most of these guys were young, experienced in training manouvers but not with much real war experience. Good, but not extraordinary. The battle would sort them out, but also take out some of these young kids, still enthusiastic about a cause that seems as hopeless as in 1914. He remembered Somme, he was old enough for that, the mountains of human flesh, bones and sweat, a giant mud pie on a small plain, brothers, friends, country-men, an useless death.... Booze had become the single drug able to quench the thirst bottled inside him, the desire to return and die along his old company, decimated till the last man. He swore never to touch a gun again or fight in another stupid bloodshed, retreating to a small house, away from hate, people and civilization, dying each day a little more with every glass of cheap whiskey.

When 2Coats asked for his help, everything changed. Not because of the new pay or position, but because he felt that the old demons that hunted him so long had to perish. He had to undue the Somme curse, he had to make sure no more lives would be lost for nothing. 2Coats was the father, he would have been the mother of them all, protecting each man's life, trying to reduce the casulties to the minimum, striving to find the best solutions, and, last but not least, supplying them with alchool, the sure way for any soldier to forget their ultimate damnation in a hell that doesn't know the meaning of necessity or patriotism.
 
Operation: Schnapps - Journey to the Dropzone

Camp Ultimate, Devon: The soldiers present asked their questions and where answered in quicktime by the captain. Then when Coats gauged no more questions were forthcoming he asked a final retorical question.

Coats – “Anymore questions then?”

There was silence. Captain Coats sensed that the team of men had asked their fill of questions and answers. They were visibly eager to undertake the urgent mission.

Coats – “Very well then, make sure you all grab your equipment from ‘Hawkeye’ and meet at the vehicle pool in one hour. Dismissed!”

With that, the men got up and gingerly made their way to the largest hut on site, the armoury and stores. Quartermaster ‘Hawkeye’ Alexandru H. did his utmost to equip the men with the best items he had.

The hour passed. With equipment drawn, the men climbed into the back of one of the army trucks that lay in one of the vehicle pools of Camp Ultimate and headed to the secret runway a further hour away from the base.

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Secret Airfield, North-West of Exeter


This was at an unknown location, unmarked on any map. When the outfit had been formed up, Coats had made sure that an airfield was constructed nearby to allow rapid deployment by air to any theatre of combat. This now proved vital for this urgent mission.

Secret Airbase, near Exeter: Arriving at the airbase the men packed their own parachutes and mounted the specially converted Wellington aircraft.

Wellington.jpg

Designation Q-VR, the converted Wellington transporting Operation Schnapps soldiers


A bomber by design, it currently was the aircraft with the longest range in service throughout the R.A.F. Everyone mounted without saying a word. Corporal Exterous was the last man through the hatch in the rear. He closed the hatch behind him, making sure it was sealed tight for the flight.

The converted Wellington bomber designation Q-VR took off from the secret airfield to the Northwest of Exeter. The mission squad of Operation now sat in the belly of the plane some looked apprehensive and others held neutral expression. Not one of the soldiers looked excited, but all held the air of confidence.

On the left of the plane at the front end, sat; Private Pinkus, Private Morepheus506, Captain Coats, Private Ladybug and Private iBaLkid. On the other side of the plane sat; Private Fade,‘Hawkeye’, Private Blitzkrieg, Private Jech, Private Kelley and Corporal Exterous.

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Inside the transport plane, tension abound.


With a dim light on ceiling of the plane the men sat silent for the journey to France and then Switzerland. The plane landed at a remote military airfield near the border with Austria.

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The Flight Plan.


The men exited the plane in the dark night to stretch their legs, while the plane was refuelled and within the half hour were onward bound to the target dropzone.

Twenty minutes into this part of the flight Captain Coats got up and headed for the pilots compartment to speak to the pilot.

With their officer gone, one of the men looked up at his fellow soldier and began to say something.
 
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Looking around at my fellow troops, can't help but think how small a company to send out but once again I remind myself that there are no stripes on my sleeve.In quiet moments like these I like to reflect on the past, this time is no different.The men of this company seem to be a very strange bunch.

You have Captin 2Coats, my take on the man is that he is brutally honest when it comes to getting the job done. There is no doubt he would sacrifice any one of us to complete this mission. I like that about him.

Corporal Exterous, I had spoken to him for a few mins at the barracks seens like a fine soldier, played football too so he cant be all that bad. Seems like you always find a buddy to watch your back hoping he'll do his job, so you make it home.

Blitzkrieg, strikes me a touch odd...Why does he seem so nervous, understandably so but something is strange.

Hawkeye, now heres a fellow you can look up to, I can tell this man has seen death up close and personal. I dont believe all the booze in the world could take away what ever that man's seen. I just hope he's not given into whatever demons he still has.

Pinkus, this fellow seems to have struck up a little bit of a contest with our Quartermaster as to see which one will pass out first, both men do enjoy a good drink, just glad they left that down at base camp. I have not picked up to much about him yet, tho he is another american that cant be all bad right.

Kelly, what can I say about this man...the idea of him being scared is almost laughable. The man gives off a very layed back feeling to me and in this situation that is very comforting, I'm glad to have this man along.

Ladybug, very sharp individual from what he has said, that sniper rifle of his will see alot of action, and if there is one thing a pointman is grateful for its a good sniper.

iBaLkid, I dont really know much about the man, tho at base camp he did tell me about how much he wanted to be on this mission, I dont know why, maybe more about his past will come out...

Jech, this is the kind of kid I was speaking about when I refered to wet behind the ears. He looks so young how could they have done that to him, allowing him to sign on as a volunteer if he were to fall think of the life he'll have missed.

Morepheus506, there sitting in front of me holding that tommy gun sits a man that has a look in his eyes that tells people to beware, he seem to be walking the edge of fine soldier and gun carrying madman, have to see which pretty soon.

Fade begins to speak - " Did yall see that Captin must be air sick haha" The comment sounded forced and uneasy but it was an attempt to lighten to mood very few smile are seen...
 
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Behind the eyes of Morpheus lies a cold, calculating mind. Already, he had run through a thousand scenarios in his head, and ways to set them back on track if things went wrong. Cleaning a bit of black grease off of the Thompson submachinegun lying in his had reminded him of something. Dragging out a small pack from under his seat, he drew out a long black trenchcoat. What could be harder for the enemy to see, he thought. He put it on, then placed the Webley revolver in a pocket, and the grenades in others on the inside of the coat. Making sure his field knife was safely secured on his belt, he went back to cleaning his Thompson, running through more plans as he did.
 
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i bet £2 i get the first kill looks about and see a few smiles

hey any one want to take that bet looks for some one to take bet
 
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Jech felt quesy. He slowly patted his belt making sure all grenades were in place. He felt like he was going to throw up. Suck it up, I don't want these guys to thing I am a wussy. He wasn't completly ready and he knew it.

He glanced around the plane, all of his colleagues looked determined,fearless, prepared. How did he look to them? He hoped the same.

His thoughts were abrupted by Ladybugs' speaking.

"I will take you up on that" If I win and get to see my 2 pounds then I will consider my self lucky..Yes I am scared....
 
Some minutes later, Captain Coats pushed open the curtain dividing the pliot area from the fuselage and where the elite soldiers were crouched.

The men turned to look at him. He mouthed out to the squad over the roar of the engines.

Coats - "T-W-E-N-T-Y M-I-N-U-T-E-S"

The men nodded and then Coats went to sit next to Corporal Exterous.

The men returned to their conversations.
 
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I had managed to doze off for a few minutes which was good because the flight seemed to take a lifetime or three. I had gone over the plan, reviewing it with the troops. Everyone had turned coldy professional, or at least tried to.

Most of the guys seemed ready. ladybug and Morpheus506 had a certain intensity behind their eyes and you knew they had been there before. Jech looked a little sick, but I wans't suprised. It was the kid's first mission too.

Pinkus and Hawkeye were arguing agin over who could drink more. The banter served to lighten the mood on the plane.

Kelly looked as though he should be home resting in his overstuffed chair listening to the game.

Fade was an seemed like a good guy, even though his joke hadn't been that great. It had lightened the mood some though, so I guess thats a good thing

iBaLkid seemed to be kinda a loner. Hadn't really talked to anyone, jsut kinda sat there. I made a mental note to get to know him better.

Then there was Blitzkrieg. He was definately the oddball on the plane. A German, he also never talked that much, despite his suprisingly good english. He looked as though he was always looking for an escape route if things turned bad. I'm not quite sure if thats good that he's prepared or bad if he knows something I don't

T-W-E-N-T-Y M-I-N-U-T-E-S

The Capt sat down next to me. "You gonna take that bet son?"

"You bet sir. Yo! ladybug! Count me in!"

Ladybug grinned like a wolf "Its your money Corporal!"......
 
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