WW2 Supers d6: SST 11: Mission Five: Anzio Devils Birth

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January 18 - January 30, 1943: Santa Maria Ceppagna, Italy


After the bitter fighting in the Mountains, the First Special Service Force was finally pulled down off the line and given time to rest and recover in the little town of Santa Maria Ceppagna. It was with some serious shock that the Brigade of about 2,000 men was down to less than 700 who were 'reporting for active duty' as they reached the little town. While some had died, many others were wounded and a significant number of troops were rendered combat-ineffective with 'trench foot'. It was a stark reminder of the cost of war.....

Over the two weeks of rest, the members of SST 11 were happy to get word that Abrianna and her German Talent lover "Carlo", were happily reunited and by all accounts doing well for themselves in Naples. They got the word from the healed up and returned Mark Battaglia, who also was happy to report that he and Camella were engaged! Even better.....maybe....was the sight of Tom Nado walking in with Mark, also recovered from his wounds! On the not-so-good side of the equation; John Porcupine had gotten into some liquor and then made the mistake of getting into a fight with a fellow 'in-his-cups' solider who had called him 'Chief'; amongst other things. The problem was, the other solider was an Officer and though John managed to avoid being sent to a stockade, he WAS quickly reassigned WELL AWAY from the Forcemen....

A few days after that, replacements and returning to duty members of the FSSF started filing in and soon the Brigade was back to a full complement, though many of the older vets weren't sure about the quality of these 'green as grass' new comers. A senior Canadian NCO, one Master Sergeant Julien Blanc reported to Nahum Chisholm as the newest member of the SST 11. Blanc was in his mid 30s, had seen action and had developed his Talent Power in the Sicily Campaign the previous Summer and then been shipped back to England to go through the Talent Training Program there and was now assigned to them as a replacement....

As January comes closer and closer to ending, the men learn that a bold Allied Offensive has been launched at a coastal town called Anzio which was North of the Winter Line (where they had been fighting) and just 30 miles South of Rome. 3 Divisions were landed there and there was a lot of talk about being able to quickly capture Rome and force the Germans in the mountain defensive line to either flee to Northern Italy or face destruction as they would be caught in a Pincer Movement.....

On the 30th, Frederick gathered the entire Force together to let them know they had a new assignment and immediately cheers broke out as everyone saw the Star on the Former Colonel's shoulder boards. He was now Brigadier General Frederick and he warmly praised all of the men and then quickly got to the point, telling them that they were to pack up all their gear as they'd be headed to the coast at Puzzuoli the following day, and from there they'd load up aboard various Landing Ships and would make the quick trip to Anzio....

January 31st - February 8th, 1943, Anzio, Italy

After just one night of sea-air, rocking ships and being crammed to the gills on various ships; the FSSF landed on the beaches of Anzio, Italy. The veterans of the raid at Dieppe, immediately noticed the 'Shingle' Beaches that were much like those of the town in France and weren't surprised to learn that the Invasion had been called Operation Shingle.

As they were unloaded on the beach, they could still smell and occasionally see the bodies still floating/lying around the area of the initial invasion on 22 January. Mostly though, the beaches were piled up with gear and crates and the occasional Freight Train sound of massive Artillery rounds that came screaming in. The first time the members of SST 11 heard it, everyone immediately went diving for cover and all were terrified as it was louder than anything they had ever heard! Men on the beach told them "That's Anzio Annie or the Anzio Express welcoming you to the 'Bitch-Head'. The Krauts have a massive Artillery Piece on train tracks some 30-40 miles away that can reach us all the way out here.....luckily their aim usually sucks. Sometimes, they get lucky though.....welcome to Anzio"....

It didn't take long for everyone to learn what the deal was. Apparently the initial invasion had worked like a charm.....the Germans were caught by surprise and 3 Allied Divisions, two U.S., one British; managed to quickly land on the beaches and secure the town and immediate surrounding area of Anzio. The problem was that the overall Commander, General Lucas, didn't press the advantage. Instead, he simply secured the area and built up supplies and a force, while the Germans responded rapidly by quickly securing the hills that surrounded the plains around the area and in essence, surrounded the VI Corps (Lucas' command, the 3 Divisions at Anzio).....

Finally, Lucas DID launch a breakout attempt at the town of Cisterna on the 28th of January. A force of 3 Ranger Battalions (1st, 3rd and 4th), a Battalion of Paratroopers and a couple of Talent Teams lead the assault against what was believed to be a Regiment of Panzergrenadiers. Instead, they ran into not only the Motorized Infantry of the 715th Panzergrenadiers but also a fully Battalion of Panzer IV tanks from the Herman Goring Division AND several Units of SS Ubermenschen were waiting for them....

Despite a valiant effort that destroyed over a dozen tanks by the armor-less U.S. troops; the Germans smashed the assault and only half of the Paratroopers and less than a dozen out of over 700 Rangers returned to Allied Lines. Over 300 Rangers and ALL of the Talents were killed in the attack and some 400 Rangers were taken prisoner. Many of the Rangers were known to Chisholm and Nado personally....

For now, the lines had stabilized and a dangerous 'knife fight' was going on with the Germans pressing on all sides as the Allies attempted to hold onto what they had seized. In addition to the losses the Rangers and Paratroopers had suffered, the 45th Division, the 'Thunderbirds' had taken quite a few casualties as they held the Eastern Flank. They were being relieved by the FSSF and a fresh Paratrooper Regiment. The Forcemen were taking up position over a dozen Kilometers in length along the Mussolini Canal. Across the Canal were 5 bridges and just past them were the German lines. Lines holding approximately an entire German Division....

Those first few days in February, the FSSF spread out and dug in. Artillery duels ranged through the day and night, but the veterans could just 'FEEL' that the Germans were massing their strength......soon, they'd launch a major Counter Attack. General Frederick could feel it too and late in the afternoon of February 8th, he summoned many of his officers AND the men of SST 11...

"Okay men....we can all tell that Jerry is getting ready for a big push to try and overrun us. I don't intend to let that happen. Looking here you can see your assignments-", here he points to a map with different units being outlined to utilize the different bridges to cross the Canal; "-where you will cross the Canal tonight after nightfall. The purpose of each patrol will be to capture a few prisoners, kill some of the enemy and if we can, destroy his artillery and vehicles. We need to make OUR PRESENCE FELT. They will learn to FEAR being on the line against Forcemen!"

As some of the men cheer and all get excited for the mission, he motions for the men of SST 11 to come forward. "Okay....I'd like for all of you to keep your Talents 'off' as it were, in case Jerry has any Ubers out there who might sense you; unless it's an Emergency of course. It is IMPERATIVE that we keep our full strength and capabilities hidden from the enemy for as long as we can. Now, HERE is your patrol's objective", he says as he points to a position about a mile across the Borgo Santa Maria Bridge. "The Germans have a pair of 88s here, protected by probably a couple squads of troops. Your mission is to ELIMINATE those guns. To do so, you're team will be given several kits of Comp. B explosive (each team member has one kit) to put in the barrels of the guns and then light the fuse. Whatever you do, be careful and don't get caught. Best of luck gentlemen and Happy Hunting!"


Last few minutes of February 8th, 1943; Borgo Santa Maria Bridge, Anzio, Italy

LT Nahum Chisholm quietly led his men to the edge of the bridge crossing the wide Canal. Occasional artillery rounds and flares lit up the night sky around them, but nothing particularly close and the veteran soldier didn't detect anything on or right on the other side of the bridge. He glanced back and saw the other 5 men of SST 11 looking back at him, waiting for the order to start the mission....

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Last few minutes of February 8th, 1943; Borgo Santa Maria Bridge, Anzio, Italy


With all of their faces darkened by charcoal mixed with grease paint, the members of SST 11 moved quietly across the canal bridge in the darkness of night and all instinctively dropped flat on their bellies as the German 88mm gun about 150 yards away suddenly belched flame and noise as it lobbed a shell at the Allied lines....

The brief moment of firing revealed the German positions near them....the saw that the '88' and a companion piece were in a dug out 'sangar' firing pit with perhaps 5 German soldiers manning the gun and no one manning the other one. They also saw a pair of German sentries on a patrol, maybe 50 yards away with Kar 98 bolt-action rifles in their hands and a MG nest with a pair of Germans manning an MG 42 about 50 yards behind them (100 from the PCs) and 50 yards from the 88s. A final German solider, carrying an MP 40 SMG and therefore probably an NCO or junior Officer, was seen near the MG nest, lazily looking around....

A small Italian House was almost certainly serving as the barracks for the 2 squads (about 20 troops) who served as the gun crews and the guard squad of troops protecting them....

Chisholm could tell the Germans were fairly lax and not expecting anything in the dead of night. The gun crew was equally lazy....lobbing a shell every few minutes, but with no real sense of urgency or purpose to it, it was clearly just 'harassment' fire. Looking at the two on patrol, he could tell they were coming towards SST 11 and would probably get within about 20 yards or so if they remained where they were.....

OOC: Okay, so 2 Germans walking a circular patrol with Rifles.....currently about 50 yards away from you guys, will come closer to about 20 yards away if you stay still and let them. 50 yards behind THEM (100 yards from you all) is a Machinegun nest with 2 Germans manning an MG 42 HMG and a German NCO or Officer with an SMG.

50 yards behind the MG nest is the big pit with the two German 88mm guns you were sent to destroy (150 yards away) with 5 German Artillery crew in the pit (enough for 1 gun) and right next to it (maybe 20 yards away) is a small Italian house where the rest of the approximately 20 German troops (so about 10) are almost certainly sleeping at the moment.

[Rex]

Chisholm

Chisholm draws his knife and gives the signal to take out the 2 on patrol silently. He then readies himself to rush them from behind.

[ateno]

Koda will throw a javelin at the first one that notices any of my people coming at them.

[kipper]

Phil draws his knife and circles around with Chisholm. However, he will hang back in order to intercept either of the germans if they turn to run back towards the barracks.

[beniliusbob]

MSGT Blanc

Blanc readies his force knife and takes position beside Koda, preparing to throw the blade when the time comes.

[Zhym]

Nado shakes his head at his predicament—once again, the orders are no powers, and no shooting—at least at first. You'd think this outfit would occasionally find a use for a sharpshooter.

He stays hidden and prepares to quietly attack with the others.

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First few minutes of February 9th, 1943; Just over the Borgo Santa Maria Bridge, Anzio, Italy


As the clock rolled over midnight, the members of SST 11 made their move agains the two patrolling German riflemen as they continued on their mission of blowing up the pair of German '88' Artillery guns.....

First, LT Chisholm and SGT Nado silently moved up and one after the other, they slammed their V-42 Knives up under the ribs of one of the German soldiers, causing him to stiffen up and then slump down in a matter of moments and causing his companion to start to un-sling his Rifle and take a deep breath to scream an alarm to his nearby companions....

Instead, a Javelin hurled by SGT Koda and a well-balanced V-42 Commando Blade came flying thru the night air and both impacted the man before he could get a cry out.....

The Knife just barely tore into his shoulder, but the Javelin slammed into and thru his chest thanks to an expertly done throw from the 1st Nations Canadian Koda. The German Rifleman dropped to his knees, stared at the shaft fo the javelin sticking out of his chest for a moment and then fell over, never to rise again.....

As this was happening, Corporal Phillipe Heuron and Tech Sergeant Battaglia moved to ensure that the Riflemen didn't escape back the way they had come and also snuck up closer to the German MG nest*, where they could see and hear the pair of German soldiers not looking their way and having a quiet conversation in German with the only words the two understood being 'Fraulein' and 'Arsch'....so, presumably, talking about the quality hindparts of a woman they knew/had seen.....

In the distance, the one working '88' gun and its 5 man crew, fired another shell that hammered the ears and caused a brief flash of bright light in the black night....


*Heuron and Battaglia are about 25 yards from the MG nest, the others are 50 yards away give or take, policing up their weapons and/or those of the Germans. The two Rifleman each have a KAR 98 bolt-action Rifle; a German 'Potato Masher' grenade and unit markings that show they are part of the 'Herman Goring' Panzergrenadier Division.

[Rex]

Chisholm

Chisholm scoops up one of the potato masher grenades and sneaks up on the MG nest. He signals everyone to move on the German positions. If he can get close enough he will toss the grenade into the nest or at the howitzer.

[ateno]

Koda briefly inspects his javelin thinking how similar the sound and feeling was taking it out of the animals he hunted. then he takes the goggles he got all those weeks ago and looks around, and past the gun to the secondary line.

Finally a time to use them

Koda

[kipper]

Phil waits for his team to catch up and keeps close watch on the MG nest.

[beniliusbob]

MSGT Blanc

Blanc follows Chisholm, rifle at the ready, preparing to open fire after the grenade goes off.

[Zhym]

Nado appropriates the other grenade and gets into position.

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Approximately 12:10 AM, February 9th, 1943; Just over the Borgo Santa Maria Bridge, Anzio, Italy


The members of SST 11 all belly crawled in the darkness towards the MG 42 nest manned by a pair of inattentive German Soldiers while nearby a German NCO or Junior Officer lazily stared up at the night sky and some 50 yards away there was a large dugout area holding a pair of German 88mm howitzers, with one of them manned by 5 soldiers. The night sky lightened and thunderous sounds came over all of their ears as the manned German gun belched flame and another shell was lobbed towards Allied lines....

SGT Koda took in all of this in a strange, greenish field of vision as he put on and activated the Goggles he had taken from a Japanese Talent way back on his first combat mission and he was also looking at the small Italian House some 20ish yards away from the MG nest where the remaining Germans, probably some 10 of them, were undoubtedly sleeping....

SGT Nado had picked up one of the German 'Potato Masher' Stick Grenades and awkwardly put it in his belt as he proceeded to belly-crawl, with his heavy Johnson LMG and the handle of the newly acquired grenade making the movements VERY tiring and unpleasant. It was with a sigh of relief when Chisholm whispered a 'Stop' to all of them as they got to within 15 yards of the MG nest and he could relax for a few moments and take a few deep breaths....

Corporal Phi Heuron kept his sharp eyes and ears open and scanning as he belly crawled along with the rest of his team closer towards the MG Nest and the German positions. It was his sharp eyes that saw a silhouette move slowly through one of the windows in the small house, meaning at least one of the Germans in the house was NOT currently asleep. Thankfully no lights came on and no major movements could be seen, so he was pretty sure, his Team remained unnoticed....

MSGT Julien Blanc was internally berating himself for his poor Knife throw at the sentry....but he made a mental note to talk to his First Nations countryman and Teammate later on how to improve this skill for that javelin thrown was excellent! Keeping his mind moving as he engaged in something as tedious and draining as belly crawling was an old trick the veteran solider had learned and re-learned dozens of times in his years of service. When Leften-no, LOO-tenant Chisholm waved a hand for them to stop, the veteran NCO carefully moved his rifle to his hands and got ready to leap into action as the orders came out in a whisper....

LT Nahum Chisholm belly crawled towards the MG nest once all of SST 11 was gathered, his eyes darting here and there and his hand gripping the stick handle of his captured German grenade tightly. As they got to within about 15 yards of the MG nest, his eyes swept over the pair of soldiers manning it and paying little attention to anything other than their conversation. A few yards away, a German NCO with an MP 40 hanging around his shoulders was looking at the sky, smoking a cigarette....50 yards away, the 5 Artillerymen were lazily lobbing shells at the Allied Lines and then 20 yards away was the front door to the Italian House that served as this detachment's barracks for the moment. His mind was quickly going through possible strategies when a voice whispered in his ear and he nearly jumped out of his skin before realizing it was TSGT Battaglia.....

"Hey El-tee.....if you can take out the German crew with that 'potato masher', Phil and I can move quick and take that MG 42 to hose down the Jerries when they come out of the house and you and the rest go deal with the 88s......whadya say?"

[Rex]

Nahum

Whispering back, "Perfect, when my arm moves forward to toss, act."

He gives them a 30 count or so then pulls back and tosses the grenade.

[ateno]

"There are about 10 people in the house, if I understand these things, nothing and no one else in the area.

Koda stores his glasses and gets ready to rush the artillery piece.

Koda

[kipper]

Phil prepares to move with 'Mike' to take the MG42 and turn it on the house.

[beniliusbob]

MSGT Blanc

Blanc aims his sights at the NCO with the MP40, ready to take him down if the grenade doesn’t catch him.

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Approximately 12:15 AM, February 9th, 1943; Just over the Borgo Santa Maria Bridge, Anzio, Italy


In the pitch black of the early morning, the members of SST 11 ignored the biting cold wind and each took a deep breath as their exciting night was about to get a WHOLE LOT MORE exciting.....

First, LT Chisholm armed the 'Potato Masher' German grenade and using it's stick handle, he hurled it out towards the MG 42 crew, who suddenly seemed to 'snap to' as the Talents began their sudden assault.....

The throw wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to explode and drop the MG gunner and loader and send enough shrapnel into the side and legs of the German NCO to drop him to one knee, crying out in pain, even as he unslung his MP 40 SMG and tried to bring it around towards the moving members of SST 11....

MSGT Blanc kept his aim on the NCO the whole time and just as LT Chisholm sent the grenade flying and he saw the man get wounded, he fired a shot and felt the rifle buck back into his shoulder and he grunted in satisfaction as his shot hit the man in the torso and finished him off. Then he rose up to his feet and started running as fast as he could towards the suddenly petrified and milling all around crew of the '88.....

Phil Heuron heard the grenade explode and he moved in a hurry, along with Mark/Mike Battaglia towards the suddenly unoccupied German MG 42. The two of them quickly slid up to the weapon and rapidly turned it around on its tripod mount and Battaglia worked the action while Phil slid his carbine onto his shoulder and picked up the belt of 7.92mm rounds. Light suddenly came on in the Italian House the Germans were using as a Barracks and as the front door opened up and a pair of German troops came boiling out, Mark/Mike opened up with the 'Buzzaw' and the spray of rounds tore into the men, leaving them in bloody ruins.....

SGTs Koda and Nado rose up and began quickly rushing towards the large dug-out area where the 88mm guns were and Nado cut loose a 10 round spray of suppressive fire from his Johnson LMG. Two of the five men hit the dirt, obviously scared out of their minds while another pair suddenly started to run the opposite way. Just one reached back towards his weapon; a rifle the sharp-eyed Canadian First Nations NCO noticed was NOT the typical bolt-action KAR 98. It must be one of those 'new' Gewehr 41 semi-automatic rifles, that worked a lot like the Garand he held in his hands.....


*OOC: Okay, the NCO and 2 MG crew are down and out...Phil and Mark/Mike the NPC are manning the MG 42 and firing on the Germans in the House....

Nado and Koda are about 30 yards from the Artillery pieces where 2 troops are just hugging the dirt...2 are fleeing into the night and 1 is going for a weapon.

Blanc and Chisholm are about 50 yards from both the house and the Arty Guns.....

[Rex]

Chisholm

Chisholm will start to lay down fire on the artillery crew.