~Carson~ L
III. - "Lord, please keep the big bullet away from us."
The sound of the tanks engine's thrumming grew louder. Clarence looked around, Shermans were everywhere. The whole 2nd Battalion was leading the assault. Five 76mm Shermans made the front rank, with the Pershing and two Shermans from Clarence's platoon on each of his flanks, followed by another five Shermans behind them. Back in Golzhiem, doughs from B- and C-Companies were held back in reserve, with Captain Salisbury waiting in his own Sherman with other officers. The formation surged forward, with the Shermans having to maintain an equal speed with the slightly slower Pershing. Earlier that morning, McVey had blessed the days assault. As a Catholic, he repeated his common prayer before every battle-"Lord, please keep the big bullet away from us," and his prayer had already been answered.
The formation split as they approached the sizzling wreckage of the Stuart. Earley covered his face from the heat. The formation regrouped, ans the front rank of Shermans aimed towards the barn complex hiding a German gun. Suddenly, green tracers from the left smashed into the ground all around the Shermans. The doughs on the highway hit the ground instantaneously. The Shermans fired back, dismantling the barn complex. Just as the first volley had missed the group, a green lance slammed into one of the lead Sherman's. The Germans were using mostly 88mm guns, an "anti-everything" killing machine. As the hatches flung open, Clarence spotted his friend, Corporal Hubert Foster, wedge his way out of the turret. As he landed on the engine deck, he ran and jumped off the back, his feet still in a kicking motion. Clarence chuckled nervously.
"What's so funny?" Earley asked over the intercom.
"I just saw a man walk on air," Clarence replied.
The assault team was in chaos, the front rank was reduced to two Shermans, tank commander's behind the front rank waved angrily to move on. Captain Salisbury radioed for 2nd battalion to retreat. Tanks sprayed mud as they turned around, green bolts still flying through the group. Over by the highway, the doughs stay put. Cold and teeth chattering, they watched the burning Shermans.
"Buck! Keep going!", shouted Seccond Lieutenant William Boom behind him.
Shells exploded all around them as they advanced, some doughs went flying. Buck and the other doughs bolted down the highway, in desperation to get closer to the German lines. Buck looked back astonished. The tanks were back at the starting line infront of Golzhiem.
III. - "Lord, please keep the big bullet away from us."
The sound of the tanks engine's thrumming grew louder. Clarence looked around, Shermans were everywhere. The whole 2nd Battalion was leading the assault. Five 76mm Shermans made the front rank, with the Pershing and two Shermans from Clarence's platoon on each of his flanks, followed by another five Shermans behind them. Back in Golzhiem, doughs from B- and C-Companies were held back in reserve, with Captain Salisbury waiting in his own Sherman with other officers. The formation surged forward, with the Shermans having to maintain an equal speed with the slightly slower Pershing. Earlier that morning, McVey had blessed the days assault. As a Catholic, he repeated his common prayer before every battle-"Lord, please keep the big bullet away from us," and his prayer had already been answered.
The formation split as they approached the sizzling wreckage of the Stuart. Earley covered his face from the heat. The formation regrouped, ans the front rank of Shermans aimed towards the barn complex hiding a German gun. Suddenly, green tracers from the left smashed into the ground all around the Shermans. The doughs on the highway hit the ground instantaneously. The Shermans fired back, dismantling the barn complex. Just as the first volley had missed the group, a green lance slammed into one of the lead Sherman's. The Germans were using mostly 88mm guns, an "anti-everything" killing machine. As the hatches flung open, Clarence spotted his friend, Corporal Hubert Foster, wedge his way out of the turret. As he landed on the engine deck, he ran and jumped off the back, his feet still in a kicking motion. Clarence chuckled nervously.
"What's so funny?" Earley asked over the intercom.
"I just saw a man walk on air," Clarence replied.
The assault team was in chaos, the front rank was reduced to two Shermans, tank commander's behind the front rank waved angrily to move on. Captain Salisbury radioed for 2nd battalion to retreat. Tanks sprayed mud as they turned around, green bolts still flying through the group. Over by the highway, the doughs stay put. Cold and teeth chattering, they watched the burning Shermans.
"Buck! Keep going!", shouted Seccond Lieutenant William Boom behind him.
Shells exploded all around them as they advanced, some doughs went flying. Buck and the other doughs bolted down the highway, in desperation to get closer to the German lines. Buck looked back astonished. The tanks were back at the starting line infront of Golzhiem.