~J2J~
Under Attack
Part 2
After a few nerve wracking minutes we heard the sound of incoming artillery and mortars. I flew down deeper into my hole and covered myself as shells hit all over our position. One of the anti-tank emplacements took a direct hit and was blown to shreds. Just as the shelling began thinning out, numerous tanks burst through the thin hedgerow in front of us. They sprayed us with heavy harassing fire from their MGs, keeping most of us pinned down in our emplacements. I only peeked out for a few seconds before 50 cal. rounds thumped into the dirt right to the left of me, sending me back down.
The combination of tank cannon fire and accurate mortar strikes took out most of our anti-tank guns and other heavy defenses before too many of their tanks could be hit. Our only tank, a Stug III, took a direct hit before it could get off even a single round. A plume of fire and smoke shot out of the top hatch and engine compartment, shortly followed by a massive ammunition explosion. Any grenadiers or rocket-bearing German soldiers that leaped out in an attempt to confront the attacking American tanks were met by heavy MG fire.
If we were to hold this position we would need reinforcements. Our radiomen called in for support but were told that all artillery and tank support were being diverted to a more vital defensive position about 12km south that was also under attack. We had to make do with what we had.
Under Attack
Part 2
After a few nerve wracking minutes we heard the sound of incoming artillery and mortars. I flew down deeper into my hole and covered myself as shells hit all over our position. One of the anti-tank emplacements took a direct hit and was blown to shreds. Just as the shelling began thinning out, numerous tanks burst through the thin hedgerow in front of us. They sprayed us with heavy harassing fire from their MGs, keeping most of us pinned down in our emplacements. I only peeked out for a few seconds before 50 cal. rounds thumped into the dirt right to the left of me, sending me back down.
The combination of tank cannon fire and accurate mortar strikes took out most of our anti-tank guns and other heavy defenses before too many of their tanks could be hit. Our only tank, a Stug III, took a direct hit before it could get off even a single round. A plume of fire and smoke shot out of the top hatch and engine compartment, shortly followed by a massive ammunition explosion. Any grenadiers or rocket-bearing German soldiers that leaped out in an attempt to confront the attacking American tanks were met by heavy MG fire.
If we were to hold this position we would need reinforcements. Our radiomen called in for support but were told that all artillery and tank support were being diverted to a more vital defensive position about 12km south that was also under attack. We had to make do with what we had.