Technique said:
OK then. Any chance we could seen any screnies of the general front, as a picture is worth a thousand words you know
.-
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OK then. Any chance we could seen any screnies of the general front, as a picture is worth a thousand words you know
.
Technique said:
Yay, Me Gustas (in Spanish literally meaning you are pleasing to me
). I eagerly await the update.
Back from vacation and all caught up. Three excellent chapters. Things just keep getting more depressing.
GeneralHannibal -
lifeless - Yes. When I was writing it there was a news piece on friendly fire in Iraq. That was spooky.
Sir Humphrey - Yeah, it always is.
grayghost - Thanks. Depressing is what I was aiming for.
lifeless - Yes. When I was writing it there was a news piece on friendly fire in Iraq. That was spooky.
Sir Humphrey - Yeah, it always is.
grayghost - Thanks. Depressing is what I was aiming for.
A sombre story of terrible times. Most excellently written and if one can separate from the somber mood of the story a most pleasurable read.
As an encouragement, you have shown stability and improvement throughout the writing of this story. That said, I know that you ca keep up the good work.
As an encouragement, you have shown stability and improvement throughout the writing of this story. That said, I know that you ca keep up the good work.
Thanks.Deus said:
Your reading my story is encouragement enough, but I thank you for the great praise anyway. I just hope I can continue to improve on things.Deus said:
It's something i've thought of doing. So maybe.Herbert West said:
Yes. You always spot the deeper meaning.stnylan said:
The Lost Platoon
Chapter 18: The Foxhole
Chapter 18: The Foxhole
Ernst opened his eyes slowly, and took in his surroundings. He was lying at the bottom of a foxhole. His backpack, weapon and ammunition belt were lying in a pile in a corner. Then he noticed another similar pile on the opposite side of the foxhole. Now he remembered. He was in Lomza, and the division was awaiting a huge Red Army attack. If that wasn’t bad enough, it was also bitterly cold, and had been snowing for several days. Ernst groaned in a very annoyed manner, and closed his eyes. Suddenly the zeltbahn that was acting as shelter above him was pulled open.
”Good morning, Lieutenant!” Corporal Hertz, his new radio operator said rather cheerfully and loudly as he jumped down into the foxhole. “It’s a beautiful morning. Just look at that sun.” Ernst looked at him for a split second before closing his eyes again.
”It’s fucking cold.” Ernst said in a rather annoyed tone.
“Pardon me, Lieutenant, but I don’t think that kind of language is befitting of an officer.” Ernst opened his eyes again. Hertz had a stupid smile on his face. He wore it permanently. Ernst hated it; he cringed every time he saw it. “Would you like to pray with me, sir?” Hertz had pulled out his bible. He was constantly reading it, even during artillery barrages.
“Hertz…”
“Yes, sir?” That stupid smile again. A voice inside Ernst’s head screamed in agony.
“Two things.” Ernst pulled himself up into a sitting position, and moved in closer to Hertz. “First, put that shelter back up before I have you put out on patrols again. Secondly, I will tell you this for the last time. I am not a Christian. I do not believe in God. I don’t want to, and never will want to – pray with you. Ever.” Ernst grabbed his equipment and started to look for his map.
“Ok, Lieutenant. As you wish.” He pulled the zeltbahn back into position. Hertz lost his smile for half a second, before it returned, and he became engrossed in his book.
“Hertz.” Ernst said as he stared intently at his map. “Get on the radio.”
“Yes, sir!” Hertz replied enthusiastically. He put down his book carefully, and switched on the radio.
“Message to Company HQ: Patrols indicate large concentrations of Soviet infantry and armoured formations due east of our positions, beyond the tree lines. Soviet artillery concentrations spotted at grid references A22, and A34. Heavy traffic in enemy sector, attack expected soon. Reinforcements and supplies are in desperate need.” Ernst’s voice was monotone throughout. Hertz transmitted the message.
“Lieutenant?” Hertz asked carefully. Ernst didn’t look up from his map. “Where are you from?” Ernst looked up at Hertz, with a surprised look. “I don’t mean to pry into your private life or anything, I was just curious.” Ernst let out a relaxing breath.
”I was born in Vienna, though I lived most of my life in Berlin. My parents are both Germans who moved to Austria after the Great War. My father was a mountaineer. He loved the Alps, that’s why they moved to Austria. He fought in Rommel’s unit, you know.” Ernst’s words had a sense of pride to them, as though he drew strength from them. After reflecting for a few seconds on home, he turned to Hertz. “Any reply from Company HQ?”
“Yes, sir. Message reads: Continue patrolling actions. Secure some prisoners if possible. Supplies and reinforcements are en route, and should arrived within a few days.” Hertz looked at Ernst with that smile again. Ernst bit his lip. “So, that’s good news then?”
“No, Corporal.” Ernst said as he stood up and pulled back the zeltbahn. “It’s very bad news actually. Very bad news indeed.” With one swift motion, Ernst pulled himself up out of the foxhole.
”Lieutenant…”
“Stay here.” Ernst replied dismissively as he put on his ammunition belt, and swung his MP40 over his shoulder. He was heading for the forward observation post. The snow was deep, and he was struggling to move at all, never mind walk several yards to the OP. Eventually, he made it. Sweat was dripping from him, as if he were in a sauna. He came up and jumped down behind the two soldiers on guard.
“Morning, Lieutenant.” Said Lukas, a machine-gunner from third squad. He was only nineteen, but he seemed to have the brain of someone much older. “Coffee?” He held his canteen up, but Ernst waved his hand.
“No thanks, private.”
“I wouldn’t bother anyway, sir.” Said Reimann, the assistant-gunner. “It tastes like Piss.”
“You drink piss regularly, do you?” Replied Lukas as he finished downing another sip from his canteen. Reimann rolled his eyes.
“Listen, guys. We need to go out on another patrol.” As soon as the ‘P-word’ came out of Ernst’s mouth, both of the men cursed under their breath, and had sullen looks on their face’s. “This time, we have to take a prisoner.”
“I thought we weren’t allowed prisoners, sir?” Said Reimann.
”Are you always this stupid?” Lukas, put down his canteen and turned around to face Reimann. “We need prisoners, so we can question them. They tell us what their buddies are up to. That way, we can prepare for them.”
”Lukas is correct. As he always is.” Ernst said, with an amused look on his face. It quickly changed to a serious one. “It’s third squad’s turn on patrol. I’ll be there with you though, so don’t worry too much. Just try and get some rest for the time being, while keeping an eye out on the horizon. We’ll move out at nightfall.” Ernst patted both men on the shoulder. “Now, let’s just hope your new squad leader arrives by then.”
Someone is bound to get shot on the upcoming patrol. I wonder who it will be.. ; )
Corporal Hertz is annoying. But such characters are a must in this story. It is possible to kill them (they're Naive and green), which would make a good sad story. This however requires more building of the character. Or the author can show how the character develops.
Lukas, however seems to be an "all-american hero", a bit cocky, but deep down not a bad person. He has the props to become a co-star in the story dying a tragic death on the battlefield.
I liked the update another well written edition, preparing us for the next update, which undoubtedly will be more sombre and sinister by nature.
Lukas, however seems to be an "all-american hero", a bit cocky, but deep down not a bad person. He has the props to become a co-star in the story dying a tragic death on the battlefield.
I liked the update another well written edition, preparing us for the next update, which undoubtedly will be more sombre and sinister by nature.
Things are going bad enough.. Looks like a very big stack just in front of Ernst.
I'm sure that after all he's been through he 'll find it in him not to shoot the little Hertz.. maybe...
I hope they last the day.
the front is .. like.. unending.
I'm sure that after all he's been through he 'll find it in him not to shoot the little Hertz.. maybe...
I hope they last the day.
the front is .. like.. unending.
Ahem...*keeps mouth shut*Sir Humphrey said:
Annoying characters are always fun to write, I find. I felt it was about time to have one.Deus said:
Thank you.Deus said:
Two very big stacks actually.NERFGEN said:
Yes...Germany now resembles some sort of cornered animal.
Denmark looks very undefended, and a landing there wouldn't be pretty. I think the smart one will die on the patrol, but thats just me . What do you consider the most dangerous front?
The Austrian, The Western/American, or the Polish
. What do you consider the most dangerous front?The Austrian, The Western/American, or the Polish
Not really. There is little chance of an Allied landing there.
Anywhere the Red Army is sitting. Those stacks. They're...they're just not human....
Oh those stacks are very human. More humans per stack than anywhere else!
As for poor Ernest, looks like another invitation to suicide.
As for poor Ernest, looks like another invitation to suicide.