Chapter 2 - Siege of Essen
Strange watched as, from the south, Major General Betz's division limped past, many of the soldiers showing wounds.
His aid, Metzger, saluted before introducing the younger general.
"General, this is Major General Betz. He asked me to take him straight to you."
Strange nodded, "That'll be all, Metzger. Get the General's men settled in - and get the wounded to where they need to go."
"Yes, Herr General." Metzger said, his handsome face protracted into a continual frown.
"General Betz, we shall talk in Headquarters." Was all he said, and pivoted around to walk into the HQ looming behind him.
Strange studied the man while he gathered his thoughts, sitting before him.
He was younger, late thirties, early forties at the latest.
Green eyes, brown hair with streaks of gray. He was chubby, but he gave the impression he could be fast when he needed to be.
He had little decoration, as far as medals went... Just a Munich campaign ribbon. (He must have been part of the group crushing the revolt there.)
As Strange waited patiently, Betz took some proffered coffee that one of the Lieutenants was passing around. A habit picked up from the Confederates long before the war.
"I tried to hold out too long. Far too long. There were too many, but I still tried to hold..." He sounded tired, not scared, not mournful. Just tired.
Cologne Falls
"They came at us from three directions, North West, West, and South West. They managed to pierce the southern flank, and then turned in, making us curve..."
Betz sighed, closing his eyes.
"I'm giving command of what's left of my unit to you. And when Dortmund retreats this way, we can last until 10th Corp. liberates it again." Betz had a resigned look.
"Very well. I saw this coming... Betz, your division will hold the North."
Betz nodded.
"Get some entrenchments up. We'll hold until relieved by 10th Corp."
********
Major General Adel gritted his teeth as the Soviets continued pressing in from the northern flank.
"Let's give these bastards a run for their money!" He yelled over the crack of gunfire.
A machine gun on top of the hill opened up, cutting the Soviet rush apart like a surgeon.
But the Soviets continued forward, stepping over the bodies and into the wall of death.
"Sir, we can't hold this area. We have to fall back to Essen!" His major shouted to him.
"We can hold for a little longer. Be patient, Major."
"Yes, Herr General."
Every minute we hold them here is another minute Strange and his boys can dig in. He thought, as the Soviet rush was halted.
"Give these damn Soviets something to remember us by!" He called to a Lieutenant as he rushed past.
The lieutenant grinned at the idea and then turned back to his task.
He would only buy another hour before pulling out. He didn't like the idea of losing his division for a piece of ground on the border.
These hills aren't worth it. Not worth my men.
He boarded a jeep, telling the driver to get him to the HQ.
********
Kalder took aim at a Soviet running out of the forest and towards his trench.
"Sorry, bud." He said coldly, popping off the shot and sending the Soviet tumbling back down the rise.
More Soviets rushed out, coaxing one of the Prussian machine guns into firing.
"Kalder! Adel's Division just arrived!" Corporal Denwalz said, turning away from the radio operator.
"Good. Not that the Soviets can do much anyway." He said, ducking down lower as a bullet whistled past.
His friend grinned as he took a map out.
"We're surrounded, but the Panzers just started attacking Dortmund. Once the Soviets quiet down a bit, we're gonna push 'em back to London!" He said happily.
"And get this: We're already knocking on Hamburg's door."
Kalder smiled. This was good news. If they hadn't been pushed back and away from Hamburg, that meant the Offensive was going better than expected.
Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad march, after all.
oo), I hope you do.
