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>>1124426
(2/2)

"Good to see you're still in one piece Captain, report." You say.

"Sir, the Squadron's in a bad way. One Troop are still at full strength and are forming our Northern perimeter, Two Troop has three tanks, but Troop Sergeant Dieppe's tank has broken down seemingly irreparably. Three Troop have only a single Cromwell left operational and have just taken possession of the German aid station and command post to our West. Four Troop are still wholly unaccounted for and we cannot raise them on the wireless, though we know what's left of the Recce Troop had to pull back Eastwards closer to our position, they are seemingly down to a pair of Stuarts. Of the HQ Troop, only one of the Cromwell CSs is still operational as the other threw its track and is being fixed currently, both Crusader AAs were destroyed, one with all crew lost. All told we have 31 dead or missing, 11 not counting Four Troop, and a further 8 badly wounded." you scratch your chin for a moment, you knew this attack could be costly, but the reality still weighs on you. After a moment you reply.

"And what about the larger battle? What are Regiment and Dyasforce saying?"

"The German Southern flank is pulling back in a hasty retreat, they haven't broken but they're clearly looking to reform somewhere to the East where their flank is no longer threatened, most of the gunfire you've heard has been us taking potshots at fleeing Panzers, we've knocked out a trio of Mark IVs and immobilised a Panther, which its crew abandoned. The situation is confused though and Dyasforce are having trouble pushing forward still as there are still tanks and AT guns staying behind. To the North elements of the Panzer Lehr Division are keeping up the pressure on our forces, though more RAF support is being redirected to the area to help break the stalemate. We have one more immediate issue though."

"Oh? What is it?"

"What to do with these prisoners. Between the three command staffs and the aid station, not to mention any stragglers, we've captured over a 100 Germans, many of whom are badly injured. We can't risk marching them back to our lines as the path isn't secure, and we can't just leave them sitting in the middle of the courtyard, nor spread across the two hamlets like they currently are. I'd suggest we move them all to in and around the aid station and guard them with the remnants of Three Troop."

> March them back to our lines anyway, maybe you'll get lucky and they'll make it through with no hassles.
> She's right, give the order to move them to the Western Hamlet while you dig in here.
> Move only the wounded to the aid station, the rest can go in the farmhouse's cellar with a guard.
> Other

>>1124432
> She's right, give the order to move them to the Western Hamlet while you dig in here.

Sorry guys, dealing with some stuff around the house, next post might be a little late.

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> She's right, give the order to move them to the Western Hamlet while you dig in here.

"Alright, Captain, handle the transfer of the prisoners, and get some lads together to distribute these weapons to the crews."

"Yes, sir." She nods curtly then turns on her heel to go, yelling to the prisoners guards to get them ready to move. A few minutes later they all march off under guard to the other hamlet, thankfully without incident, and Lieutenant Dixon reports they've been settled in a short while later, in time for Whechley to return and move back out to the perimeter. With the prisoners dealt with you decide to do a quick round of the rest of the Squadron, adjusting their positions and redistributing ammo where needed.

-
-

Caesar sits in the Courtyard a short ways from the farmhouse, next to a row of bodies covered in bloodstained bedrolls. Dickie and Bob stand in front of one of the dead, sullen, pensive looks on their faces, while Cooper sits on the edge of the turret with his headset on, dutifully monitoring the net, or perhaps just trying to distract himself. You feel a pang of guilt as you approach, your gaze drifting down to the same body, it's features blissfully concealed by the khaki wool blanket. Ethan Cartwright had been with you since the Mareth Line in early '43, through the Regiment's stint in Italy and the training for Normandy. He was the youngest lad on the crew too, even younger than the fresh faced Lt. Cooper. He didn't deserve this kind of an end.

> The battle isn't over, get your crews' heads back in the game.
> Lift the blanket, you won't avert your eyes from the outcomes of your decisions.
> Say a few words for the lad.
> Other

>>1124752
> Say a few words for the lad.

>>1124779
> Say a few words for the lad.

>>1124752
> Say a few words for the lad.

>>1124752
>Say a few words for the lad.

Sup Danon

> Say a few words for the lad.

You take your beret off your head and hold it to your breast while you think for a moment on what to say, the rest of your crew looking on expectantly. "God bless you Ethan, and godspeed. This might be goodbye, but we'll never forget you." The words seem hollow from where you're standing, scant comfort to the dead that they might be, but Dick gives a emphatic nod while Bob makes the sign of cross, and Cooper wipes his eyes before turning back into the turret. You want to say a dozen more things, to apologise for getting him killed, to beg his forgiveness. But you are an officer, so you must not. Instead you clamber back up onto Caesar, giving Dickie a hand up as you remount. "Alright, we'll shove off bac-."

"Sir! Able 2-1 and Recce both report contact with the forward elements of Dyasforce!" Cooper's voice cuts you off. "Looks like the Krauts have finally given up the ghost between us and Villers, they're pulling back to the East!"

"That just means they've figured out what we've done, Cooper, they aren't beaten yet. Bob, take us up to Two Troop's position I want to see who's coming in." you say as you pull your own headset back on and check the plugs. Radio messages flood into your ears, painting a picture of the Battle as it enters a lull. Dyasforce have finally broken the last major 2nd Panzer defensive positions West of the La Ciderie, and friendly infantry have linked up with your perimeter and the Recce Stuarts to your West, still neither hide nor hair of Four Troop though. There are still Germans in amongst the lines though, so moving up supplies or taking back prisoners is still dangerous.

"Able, Able this is Regiment, do you copy?" Lieutenant Colonel Holliman's voice comes in over the radio.

"This is Able, I copy Regiment, go ahead."

"Word from Brigade, the infantry coming into your position are under your command effective immediately, should be one platoon from the 1st Rifles coming in from the North, another from the 2/7th Queens and those Carriers you sent back to us are coming in from the East. Mortars and a battery of 6-pounders to follow shortly. Over."

"Copy Regiment, glad to have them, we're a bit thin on the ground here, can we expect armoured reinforcements?"

"Negative Able, more Panzers spotted moving around to our South-East, the rest of the Regiment's engaged, and the 1st's busy with Panzer Lehr to the North, you'll have to hold on your own for now. Over."

"Understood Regiment, we'll make do. What about resupply, we have wounded and a number of disabled tanks."

"Dyasforce is sending you an ARV and an ambulance from 4CLY, too dangerous to bring you ammunition for now." Well, that's not the best news you could've gotten.

(1/2)

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>>1124992
(2/2)

Turning up out of the turret as you approach Two Troop's corner of the defences, Lieutenant Oliver and Sergeant Blackburn's tanks are positioned well to beat off any attack from this direction, while back a short ways Troop Sergeant Dieppe's Cromwell sits where it broke down, it's crew still fiddling around in the engine compartment, trying to locate the issue. However, now surrounding and passing between the tanks are a couple dozen infantrymen, several of whom are trying to chat up the girls when the Sergeant who seems to be in command of them spots you and waves before jogging over.

"You're that Major wot knocked out the Tiger in the town, right sir?" He says with a thick Midlands accent.

"Aye, that's me Sergeant. You in command of these men?" You nod at the infantry still milling about your vehicles.

"Ah, yessir, we's been meaning to thank you for what you did in the village this morning, saved our lives no doubt! What would you have us do, Major?"

> "For starters, shape up, this is still a combat zone! Deploy your men in La Ciderie and get ready for a German counter-attack from the East."
> "This field might still have Germans hiding in it, not to mention salvageable weapons and possibly wounded crewmen, I'd like some of your men to do a sweep of it while the rest help us dig in here."
> "The Germans have pulled back for now but there's no telling how long that'll last, we need to find out what they're up to, and my tanks aren't up to the task of recon. Form some patrols and find out what's going on out there."
> "We've got urgently needed supplies coming up and wounded and prisoners to go back to our lines, help escort them to and from our positions, I'll detach a Cromwell to help."
> Other

>>1124976
Been scurrying around doing housework for the past couple hours, which is why the post rate has been glacial, but that's sorted now.

>>1124995
>"For starters, shape up, this is still a combat zone!" "This field might still have Germans hiding in it, not to mention salvageable weapons and possibly wounded crewmen, I'd like some of your men to do a sweep of it while the rest help us dig in here."

Combining the first two, a little reminder that this isstill a combat zone and we´re not at full numbers.

>>1125002
The pace is alright, /qst/ have been slower for some reason. Expect to have less people. Shit sucks lately man.

>>1124995

> "For starters, shape up, this is still a combat zone! Deploy your men in La Ciderie and get ready for a German counter-attack from the East."

From the sound of things, with panzer movement to the southeast, they'll try to probe the lines at the very least. Best to look prepared and not like an easy target.

>>1124995
>> "For starters, shape up, this is still a combat zone! Deploy your men in La Ciderie and get ready for a German counter-attack from the East."

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> "For starters, shape up, this is still a combat zone! Deploy your men in La Ciderie and get ready for a German counter-attack from the East."

-
-

5:32

You look out the window of the farmhouse as Dieppe's Cromwell finally sputters back into life, the ARV engineers and its crew letting out a cheer before turning it for the frontlines. Troops have trickled in over the last hour or so, first a trio of Vickers MMGs, then the three UCs and Ingham's two Stuarts. The 2/7th Queen's platoon and the 6-pounders were next, though they lost their Lieutenant and command section to a Kraut with a Spandau on the way and seemed even more sloppy than the Rifle Brigade troops. The mortars arrived last, and one team short, but two is better than nothing. You turn back to the room, where your Troop leaders have gathered around the same table the German HQ had set up before you, along with the Sergeants commanding the two Infantry platoons; Owens and McAlister. You clear your throat, getting their attention, before beginning.

"Alright gentlemen, uh, and ladies," You nod at Whelchley and Oliver, elciting some chuckles from the two. "here's the situation." You gesture to the map which you've pinned unit positions on. "This is us here, in and around La Ciderie and we've set up defences, here and here in the hedgerows to the East. We've been taking fire occasionally from German positions near Point 213 and to its South, but it's nothing major yet. I want the mortars set up and sighted on the Southern road, same for the 6-pounders and Vickers'. Two and Three Troop will help provide crossfire if they attack Dyasforce down Route 213, while One Troop and HQ will watch the Southern road. Command says we should be on the lookout for one last counter attack from the 2nd Panzer before the day's out, so I want everyone to be ready for anything. Understood?" Nods and affirmative all around, good.

> "Now we're going to beat them to the punch on this one, I've just got off the horn with Regiment and we're waiting on the go-ahead from Brigade to strike first, before the German counter-attack can form."
> "So I want you all to dig in nice and deep, we're thin on the ground here so we've gotta be prepared when they come. Make sure your guns are sighted and you stay vigilant.
> "We'll have a little time before then though, they need to reorganised and rest just as much as we do, so pull half watches and try to get some shuteye, especially for the tank crews, it could be a long night.
> Other

>>1125250

Ask first for opinions, if the men are exhausted I vote for a night engagement:
> "We'll have a little time before then though, they need to reorganised and rest just as much as we do, so pull half watches and try to get some shuteye, especially for the tank crews, it could be a long night."

If they think the soldiers can fight at 90% or better, (and a short recon first) go for:
>"Now we're going to beat them to the punch on this one, I've just got off the horn with Regiment and we're waiting on the go-ahead from Brigade to strike first, before the German counter-attack can form."

Whatever happens, the mortars, Vickers, pounders and at least 1 platoon need to dig in and be alert.

>>1125250
Gonna back >>1125350

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> Other

"So, I want opinions, how ready are the troops if we were to go on the offensive?" Your commanders exchange glances and a few shakes of their heads before Whechley replies

"They're exhausted, sir." Says "They've been fighting all day, we've lost nearly half our tanks and we're low on ammunition to boot. The men need rest, or at least to focus on defensive operations."

"Then they'll get it Captain. We should have a little time before the Krauts attack, they need to reorganise and rest just as much as we do, so pull half watches and try to get some shuteye, especially for the tank crews, it could be a long night. Any questions?" Dixon raises his hand.

"One of my commanders would like to requisition one of the captured Panthers sir, to help fill out our numbers."

"Can you operate it?"

"We think so sir. Most of them were damaged during the fighting, but at least one's in working order and between the crew we've left enough read German well enough to crew it. We've also got a supply of paint with the ARV to give it proper markings."

"Good thinking Lieutenant, get it done." He nods in response, his chest puffing with a bit of pride. "If that's all, you're dismissed. I expect ammo and fuel reports from all of you by sundown." They all nod before filing out of the room. Cooper steps out from the corner with a steel mug in his hands.

"Brew for you sir, I'm afraid those scones I was saving got shot clean off the back of the turret at some point." He says with a somewhat disappointed look on his face.

"Thank you Cooper, quite alright." You take the proffered cup and sip from it, feeling the drink give you a bit more energy. "Now we'd better get back to the tank, before we miss something important."

"Yes, sir."

-
(1/2)

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>>1125581
-

> 9:30

"Bravo 1, bring up your Firefly, we see another Mark IV on that road to our 2 o'clock."

"Copy, shoving off."

"Bravo I can't see him."

"He's behind the hedgerows, look for his hatch poking over the top."

"Copy, found him, I'll put a few rounds through it."

"Roger, fire at will."

"Good kill, Bravo 1-4, brewed him right up."

You sit on the cupola ring, puffing away on another army issue fag and listening on the Regimental net as B Squadron engage another prong of 2. Panzer. You're positioned watching the road South of La Ciderie, along with the rest of the HQ and One Troops, while infantry hunker down in hastily dug foxholes nearby and the four gun 6-pounder battery hide amongst hedges and bushes. Occasionally a few Germans will be spotted hurrying about to the East, either on foot or in half-tracks, but so far nothing worth giving away your positions to shoot at. Cooper's finally fallen asleep in the loader's position, and you can hear Bob snoring all the way from the Driver's seat, while Dick scribbles down more notes in his diary below you. The sun is low in the sky, you'll likely have a few more minutes of twilight before it sets fully though. That'd be when the Germans attack, shortly after sundown. The weather was fine today but it would be a moonless night until almost 3 am. Likely they'd attack first with dismounted infantry supported by half-tracks and Assault guns, before moving panzers up to flank or target key positions in your line. How would you meet them?

> Prepare a defence in depth. Spread the infantry and weapons teams deeper ahead and behind you. They'll be thinner on the ground and be less able to concentrate firepower, but it could make your position harder to outflank or breakthrough decisively.
> Prepare a mobile defence. Pull your UCs and tanks out of the main line and wait for the Germans to engage them before outflanking them with your own armoured forces. Tricky at the best of times, and doubly so at night, this would place even more stress or your already pushed vehicles.
> Prepare a static defence. Simple but effective, simply reinforce your current positions with overlapping fields of fire and wait for the enemy to come to you. The static nature of the line makes it easier to flank, but also allows you to call in artillery and air support much closer without fear of striking friendly units as they reposition.
> Other

Wanted to get one more post in before retiring for the day, but I've kinda run out of steam, and it seems like you guys might've too. So we'll be back, same time same thread tomorrow for the final session of Tankies Quest. Catch you then anons.

Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Tankies%20Quest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danontg

>>1125590
>Prepare a static defence. Simple but effective, simply reinforce your current positions with overlapping fields of fire and wait for the enemy to come to you. The static nature of the line makes it easier to flank, but also allows you to call in artillery and air support much closer without fear of striking friendly units as they reposition.

Let them come, the English artillery was generally very efective in spite of being light compared to others (fucking soviets went nuts using it). If we can have good co-ordination between firing positions and arty operators this will be the best bet. We need someone for lookout.

Although I prefer an elastic defense, it will demand more than we can sacrifice at the moment.

>>1125738
Night Qm, thanks for running!

>>1125741
25-pounders are indeed pretty stronk. They might not have the sheer hitting power of heavier artillery but they had rate of fire, combined with the high standard of gunnery from the Royal Artillery, they were actually some of the most potent artillery in in the anti-tank role of the war.

>>1125756
The 25lb gun was great, but was always just a smidgen light in the HE chunking department. Also is capable of being a Triple-Purpose artillery piece (AA/AT/AP), but the operators were just a bit more wedded to doctrine. While they deployed arguably the 2nd best AT guns of the war, the did have their deficiencies, many of which the US learned from when it started to deploy its own combat batteries.

So, imagine if we can shore up a little the deficiencies in the chain of command they WILL fuck the german atack to hell and back. I suppose we can try to do that and act like an "armchair commander", sit up and bark orders.

Tanks and artillery are my favorite part of the war.

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>>1125798
Mine is actually armoured cars and recce vehicles. There's something alluring about the combination of patience, rationale and absolute madness required to man one.

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After just a single accidental post in LGA2, Tankies Quest is now up, if you'd like to catch up on last weeks' session you can find the archives here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Tankies%20Quest
Or if you'd just like to contact me or keep abreast of when we're next running you can find my Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Danontg

-
-

> 13th June, 1944
> Normandy, La Ciderie Hamlet, Just East of Villers-Bocage
> 10:10

You trot back through the brush, weaving between trees in the now pitch dark night, heading for the last position you wanted to check on, a section of 2/7th Queen's in the middle of your line. You'd already checked on the rest, re-positioning AT guns and tanks and organising a spare WS No. 19 for the Mortars so you could communicate with them, as well as with the Sexton batteries back with 1 RTR. Another understrength platoon of 1st Rifles had arrived to protect the hamlets and the aid station, which with the arrival of a Field Ambulance was now pulling double duty for both the German POWs and your own wounded.

Without any light to guide you beyond the stars, you try to move quickly through the copse towards where you think the section should be, when the trees thin out rapidly. Shit, you must have gone to far and reached the treeline. Ducking down you scurry for a bush in case some Kraut across the field spotted you and decided he felt like bagging a Tommy with a stray round, but no gunfire or shouts of alarm follow. Satisfied you remained undetected you turn to head back into the copse, moving at a low crouch to avoid detection. Now you just have to find that sec- you almost run into the soldier in front of, just a slightly dark silhouette crouched in a small mortar or tank shell crater, almost invisible in the night.

"Ah, Eric, da bist du! Bleiben Sie nah, ich kann kaum meine Augenlider in diesem Dunkel sehen." He hisses to you with a thick accent. Seems he thinks you're his mate.

> Bluff a couple sentences then disappear into the night and raise the alarm.
> Go for your pistol and shoot him down.
> You can't afford to make any noise, no doubt his friend is still around here somewhere, deal with him quietly.
> Run.
> Other

>>1128077
>> You can't afford to make any noise, no doubt his friend is still around here somewhere, deal with him quietly.

> You can't afford to make any noise, no doubt his friend is still around here somewhere, deal with him quietly.

You dive at him, tackling him onto his back and pinning his rifle between the two of you, the air wheezes out of him and he struggles to form words or yell out but the impact must have winded him. You push yourself up, straddling his now prone form and slug him in the face, a sharp pain in your knuckles telling you your blow went high and clipped his helmet's rim before crunching into his cheek. You swing again and again, while he's still stunned, then cast around for something to end the fight, only to be smacked in the temple yourself by the barrel of his Mauser. The blow sends you reeling back for a moment, but you grab the weapon by the guard and pull it towards you, keeping the muzzle past you and laying into the Kraut with your left hand while both of his are occupied wrestling for his weapon. You throw another punch, then grab the bolt handle and rack it backwards to empty the chamber.

He relinquishes the rifle, which you cast aside. You clamp a hand over his mouth and he grabs you by the collar, and the next few frantic seconds blur into a flurry of blows and desperate grappling. Suddenly you're reversed and th German's atop you with his hands around your throat, choking the breath out of you. You swing a few short jabs for his kidney but they meet webbing and pouches, only bruising your hands. You try one more desperate punch, and this time it bounces off something flat, wooden. A bayonet handle. You grab the thing and yank it from the scabbard as your vision starts blacking out around the edges, then draw it upwards in a slice. It's a sloppy attack, but the blade manages to bite and the grip around your throat loosens for a moment as he flinches away in pain. You take the advantage and hammer the pommel of the bayonet into his chin, then lever him over with your left hand still clamped over his mouth. Astride him again, you hammer the blade down at his neck in an icepick grip, he catches your arm by the wrist just in time, and you lean into the blade, pushing it down, bit by bit. The Kraut tries to speak through your hand, then to scream but you keep him pinned and his mouth covered, muffling the sounds. This close, even with only starlight to illuminate the scene, you can make out his face; young, definitely, couldn't be older than 20, and the fear in his eyes is one you've become familiar with after 4 years of war. Slowly, painfully slowly the blade reaches him, and bites into his neck, the muffled screams turn into mewling and then a gurgle and finally the struggling ceases. You roll off of the corpse, breathing heavily, blood pounding in your ears and bile in the back of your throat. You stay like that for a few seconds, or maybe an hour, the adrenaline makes it hard to tell. There's a crunch of leaf litter nearby, and your head snaps over towards it.

(1/2)

>>1128346
(2/2)
A glimpse of another silhouette moving slowly between the trees, this one further off towards the North and distinguishable as a German by its square head. That must be Eric, he's far enough off you could slip away, and who knows how many more are already infiltrating your positions.

> Stalk and shoot him, a gunshot would raise the alarm as well as anything.
> Slip away quietly, you need to get back to your tank, it's likely only a matter of minutes before the German attack begins.
> Lure him over, you can take him down with the knife too.
> Other

>>1128353
>> Slip away quietly, you need to get back to your tank, it's likely only a matter of minutes before the German attack begins.

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> Slip away quietly, you need to get back to your tank, it's likely only a matter of minutes before the German attack begins.

You crawl through out of the shellhole and a short ways away before scurrying forward at a low crouch. The rest of the trip back to your HQ Troop's position is nerve racking, but eventually you stumble into one of the infantry sections dug in nearby.

"Who goes there?" One of the soldiers calls quietly, weapons leveled in your direction.

"Major Stanley, 5 RTR! I'm coming in." Weapons are lowered and they return to their watch Eastwards. The Corporal gives you a nod as you approach.

"What's the word sir?"

"Get your men ready, Kraut infantry's already infiltrating the woods. The attack will come soon." You don't break your stride, heading past them at a jog now, until you reach Caesar, a nearly invisible silhouette itself amongst the brush. To its front the South road is barely visible and arrayed to either side are tanks from One Troop and the HQ. Clambering up onto the turret you open the hatch and slip inside, where Dick is now getting some sleep while Cooper looks over a map with his torch, he looks up as you slide down in the commander's seat and kick your gunner awake.

"Welcome back s-By George sir, what happened to you?" Huh? You look down at yourself and see now in the dim light of the torch the bloodstains that smear your hands and overalls, as well as the sliced open knuckle on your right hand, which starts to smart now that you've registered.

"Had a run in with a Jerry scout, not important, the attack's about to start, get me the mortar positions and arty on the horn now."

"Yes, sir." Cooper begins talking on the radio as you yell down into the front of the tank for Bob to start the engine. "Alright sir, Panzer Lehr's counterattack to the North petered out with sunset, so we've got the whole Division's artillery and the Mortars standing by."

"Very good, Lieutenant." You put your own headset back on and raise the handset to transmit. "Mortar 1 this is Able, do you Copy?"

"Copy Able, what do you need?"

"Illumination Scale 1, 200 yards East of our positions." You wait a moment, it's a shame O'Leery hasn't turned up yet, nonetheless you did your FOO course, so you're qualified.

"Copy Able, firing." From inside Caesar you don't hear the mortars' distinctive pops, but a few seconds later, the fields in front of you are spontaneously lit up with bright white light, casting in monochromatic clarity what must be a full Company of German infantry slowly creeping across the open ground in fireteams.

(1/2)

>>1128686
(2/2)
For a few seconds, the Germans freeze, perhaps hoping they remained unspotted or simply caught by surprise. Then a Bren Gun from one of the infantry positions opens up, ripping through one of the closest German teams, and the scene explodes back into motion as more defenders join the fusilade of fire, while German MGs open up from the far tree line, spraying tracer back and forth under the starshell light.

"This Able to all Able tanks, infantry targets front, Cromwells and infantry may engage at will, Fireflies hold your fire and wait for armoured contacts!" You yell over the radio

> Call in the Arty: Mike Target Scale 10 (8 guns, 10 rounds each)
> Call in the Arty: Uncle Target Scale 12 (24 guns, 12 rounds each)
> Hold the Arty, wait for the Germans to commit their armour to the attack.
> Other

>>1128693
>> Hold the Arty, wait for the Germans to commit their armour to the attack.

>>1128686
>run away, your tank's pretty fast and camouflaged

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> Hold the Arty, wait for the Germans to commit their armour to the attack.

"Alright, light 'em up with the coax, you've got a mob moving about 5 up and 15 left. See them?"

"Got the blighters." The coax begins sputtering, sending empty cases clattering into the ejection tray. Looking through the cupola you see the tracers chase a trio of running Germans as they try to dash from cover to cover, catching the last two with his third burst. All around you, tracer fire stitches back and forth between the two forces, while Mortar rounds begin landing amongst the left flank of the German attack, answered a few minutes later by the Germans own mortars in kind. There is no sign of any German armoured elements however, until after the star shells fade and the battlefield is plunged back into darkness. Combat lulls as firing is directed purely by spotting enemy muzzle flash and tracer fire. Then there's a much larger flash from the German side and the scream of a passing shell.

"This is Able, that muzzle-flash, middle of the treeline, anyone see what fired?" You ask over the radio.

"Copy Able this is 1-4, looked like a Stug, we're waiting for a second shot." Another flash, nearby to the first, this time you see the Stug silhouetted at the edge of the trees by its gunflash. "Engaging." There's a boom off to the right and a shell streaks across your vision before striking something in the dark with a shower of spark. No fire or explosion though, so who knows if it knocked it out. "Able 1-4, respositioning." Sure enough a few seconds later later a veritable fusilade of fire answers, shells ripping through the night towards their previous position. Must be 8 or 9 guns, some from near the StuG but others to the South flank too. The cannonfire from the South is followed by MG fire, as the Germans try to locate your tanks by watching for their tracers ricochets.

"Mortar 1 this is Able, can we get a repeat on the illumination gunfire?" Another two starshells streak up and light the field again, this time lighting up to display the targets you were waiting for. On the other side of the South road, trying to use it for cover, at least a dozen Mark IV and Panther tanks are advancing with infantry escorts, likely trying to turn your flank. Almost instantly one of the IVs is struck below the turret by a shell and explodes, but several more shots, bounce off or miss the German tanks. Some of them stop to continue engaging, but the Panthers continue. Two Troop reports a similar attempt to the North, but it's running into flanking fire to Dyasforce and has been pinned.

> Now is the time, hit the German flanking forces with all the arty you've got, you can mop up any survivors.
> Rally the HQ and One Troop and move to counter the Panthers directly while Artillery covers the frontal attacks.
> If those Panthers turn your flank it's all over, pull everyone back to the hamlet.
> Other.

>>1129033
>> Now is the time, hit the German flanking forces with all the arty you've got, you can mop up any survivors.

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>>1129033
>Can love bloom on the battlefield?

>>1125860
I spy, with my /k/ eye, a littlejohn squeezebore adaptor on that 2pdr

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> Now is the time, hit the German flanking forces with all the arty you've got, you can mop up any survivors.

"Dick, start putting some fire down on those Mark IVs, keep them pinned. Cooper, load AP." You switch to the B set as the turret traverses and the crew get to work. "This is Able to Division Battery, requesting Gunfire, Over."

"Copy Able this is Division Battery, go ahead."

"Copy Battery, requesting Gunfire, 150 yards West-South-West of Point 224, Uncle Target Scale 12, I say again, Uncle Target Scale 12." You wait a moment in which time there is a tremendous crash and an orange light becomes visible off to your right, someone must've got hit and brewed up.

"Copy Able, ranging now." Unlike the mortars, you can hear this shell pass overhead even inside the tank. It lands just about 75 yards past the Panthers, and 10 behind them.

"Division Battery this is Able, rounds off target, Shift Right 40, Drop 75, Gunfire."

"Copy Able, firing." This time when the rounds pass overhead, it is with a noise like rolling thunder. They land just past the nearest Panther, and a slightly ahead of them, with a cacophonous boom. 24 rounds impact in a split second, spraying dirt and fire into the night sky. Your ranging was slightly off but nontheless, the artillery has a devastating affect, and by the time the battery reports their rounds complete, two of the Panther sit motionless, their tracks shattered and barrels warped and another burns brightly, the fourth retreats and begins exchanging fire with the 6 pounders. You direct the fire back further, spreading and splitting the 25 pounder fire between the various German tanks, splitting the flanking attack up and blunting its advance, while Dickie's own gunnery efforts earn you another probably Mark IV with a shot through the turret side. Across the centre of the field, another two StuGs attempt to advance in support of the infantry. but are soon pinned down by fire from your forces, one being knocked out by a 6 pounder and the other veritably pummelled into submission by Cromwells. The German counter attack is faltering, but their own mortars and artillery are beginning to fall around you, any moves in open ground could prove as devastating for you as your arty did for theirs.

> Counterattack, and drive them off, your own artillery will cover the advance.
> Use the artillery to perform counter battery work, while you hold your position.
> Keep the artillery performing defensive fire missions, you just have to hold out until the Germans retreat.

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>>1129169
Indeed you do, they were quite popular with the Armoured Car Regiments as they gave them a way to deal with Mark IV in a pinch.

>>1129236
>> Counterattack, and drive them off, your own artillery will cover the advance.

>>1129236
>> Use the artillery to perform counter battery work, while you hold your position.
we need those knocked out as soon as possible

> Counterattack, and drive them off, your own artillery will cover the advance.

"Able to Regiment, the German attack here is flagging, I am going to Counterattack in force, please confer to Dyasforce, our objective is to force the Huns off of Point 213. Do you copy?"

"Understood Able, Godspeed."

"All Able troops, prepare to counterattack!" You open the hatch and cast about, looking for the nearest infantryman, a nearby muzzle flash reveals one nearby, using a fallen tree as cover while he fires his rifle into no man's land. "You there, soldier!" You yell at the top of your lungs, struggling to be heard over the gunfire, he hears you and looks up. "Run down the line and pass the word, we're counter attacking! Follow the tanks and keep their infantry off us!" Replies begin coming back, asking for confirmation and objectives. "The objective is the high ground ahead of us. Once we take it, the Germans will have no choice but to surrender the area around Villers-Bocage or face our artillery come the morning. One last push lads!" Minutes pass tanks and infantry reorganise to prepare for a counterstroke, the Germans in the field continue to pour fire towards you, but the MGs and mortars keep them from moving forward easily, and the 6-pounders keep the tanks to the South pinned. You arrange more artillery to cover your advance, focussing it on the flanks and treeline to keep the majority of their armour reeling while you advance.

"Understood sir, One Troop's with you, but we're down to three tanks, Kippering's Cromwell got brewed up, though the boys made it out." Jackie Garnett answers first.

"Two Troop is ready sir." Lieutenant Oliver sounds almost excited at the prospect.

"Three Troop and Recce are ready to advance sir." Dixon says.

"HQ Troop's ready to roll Major." Whelchley is the last to answer, one of the Cromwell CSs having lost a track to shrapnel and requiring some time to be made ready again.

"Alright, we'll advance under the cover of a creeping barrage. Wait for my mark." You switch to the B set again and contact the Battery. "Division Battery, this is Able requesting Creeping barrage fire mission to preset Point."

"Copy Able, stonk's on the way." You wait a few seconds, then the first wave of shells land ahead of your positions, before slowly being walked out across the field and to your flanks.

> Charge!
> Advance quickly but stop to fire when engaged.
> Advance cautiously and make sure not to leave your infantry behind.

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Well, looks like that's all I'll get for today. Feel free to leave your votes for previous post down below, we really are on the final stretch here, and while I won't be running a session tomorrow, I will make posts and finish Tankies in this thread over the next couple days.

Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Tankies%20Quest
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>>1129750
> Advance quickly but stop to fire when engaged.

>>1130249

Aww dangit!

Exactly 1 min. after I finished readong the post I missed no more players show. Anyway thanks for the run boss, I´ll try to be here the next time.

Cheers mate!

>>1129750
>> Advance quickly but stop to fire when engaged.

>>1129750
>> Advance quickly but stop to fire when engaged.

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> Advance quickly but stop to fire when engaged.

"All right, once we get moving try to cross the open ground as fast as you can, but if you spot anything that looks like it might be a panzer or the Krauts start firing at you, halt and engage." You turn out for a moment and wave to the now section of infantry clustered next to your and Whelchley's tanks, passing around Mills bombs and ammunition as they prepare to attack, you wave to get their attention and then, both into the handset and to any nearby. "Alright lads, for King and Country! Attack!" Caesar moves foward, just as the last star shell flickers and dies, leaving the battlefield lit only by the flashes of falling artillery and the orange glow of burning vehicles.

As your tanks leave the treeline and hedgerows and start crossing the now artillery pocked but still mostly flat field, the pace of the attack increases, firelight giving drivers enough of a view that they can guide their tanks with little issue. To your left one of the infantry fireteams jogging in the tanks tracks is struck by a German shell, spraying pulverised earth and body parts skywards, while a mortar shell strikes one of One Troop's Cromwells tearing its tracks off and slewing it to a halt. However, your own creeping barrage seems to do its work keeping the Krauts observers heads down as the German fire is quickly left behind, still landing randomly around your defensive positions, where Brens and Vickers guns sporadically fire of bursts of tracer fire at possible German positions the 25 pounders have already passed.

The Squadron is almost halfway across the field when the creeping barrage passes over the frontline and then ceases. "C'mon Bob, push the engine! We've got to get closer before-" You're cut off by the flash and boom of a StuG, evidently battered but not destroyed by the artillery firing a shell out of treeline, which finds the front of one of the remaining Recce Stuarts off to your left, tearing clean through the vehicle which grinds to a halt, silhouettes leaping from it hatches and diving for cover. "Driver, halt! Gunner, target 1 o'clock, elevate 6 degrees, range point fucking blank! Load AP!" The turret whips to follow your directions, Cooper frantically loading a round as another Cromwell fires and misses the StuG, smashing one of the trees next of it to matchwood.

(1/2)

>>1137983
(2/2)

"Firing!" Yes Dick and tank bucks, spitting its shell out and into lower plate of the StuG. The hatches of the German Assault Gun blast open, followed by a pair of silhouettes leaping from the vehicle and fleeing deeper into the trees. The commander claws himself out a moment later and flops over the side, an almost comical sight if it wasn't for his legs having been shorn away above the knees. Elsewhere tanks advance up the slope towards the highground now, MGs blazing away as they go, though it seems few of the infantry are keeping pace. A panzerfaust roars out of the trees and narrowly misses the Cromwell CS to your right, while the Stuart Recce engages in an MG duel with a spandau somewhere within the treeline, hurling tracers back and forth. Time to carry the attack home, if you can take that hill the Germans won't have any choice but to retreat. You turn out again as the worst of the fire disappates, trying to make sense of the situation. You spot a handful of infantrymen still following behind you and wave them up, yelling exhortations.

"Alright everyone, up the hill! One last pus-" Again you are interuppted by German shellfire, this time from the right flank. Swiveling around to spot its source you see the silhouettes of a trio of Panthers astride the road, their fronts towards you and backlit by the burning panzers behind them. The first shell blessedly missed, and a 6-pounder firing from your start positions sets one of their engines alight with its return fire, but a moment later the other two fire. A shell screams past your tank so close it leaves your ears ringing, and finds the turret side of Captain Whelchley's Aethelfled, which immediately ceases moving.

> "Halt! Gun right!" Engage them from here.
> "Driver, turn right and flank speed ahead!" Get under their guns and flank them for better shots."
> Shield Whelchley's vehicle so any survivors can dismount.
> Other

>>1137986
> Shield Whelchley's vehicle so any survivors can dismount.
> "Halt! Gun right!" Engage them from here.

>>1137986
>> "Halt! Gun right!" Engage them from here.

>> Shield Whelchley's vehicle so any survivors can dismount.

> Shield Whelchley's vehicle so any survivors can dismount.
> "Halt! Gun right!" Engage them from here.

"Driver forwards! Put us between that Panther and Aethelfled, give the Captain some time to get her crew out! Gunner, traverse right and return fire on those Panthers! C'mon let's go!" Caesar resumes moving, and you drop down into the turret, closing the hatch behind you as MG fire from the Panthers snaps overhead. Bob swerves left slightly to park itself beside Captain Whechley's stricken vehicle. "Captain Welchley, can you hear me!" You yell over the handset but no response is forthcoming. Dick fires his first shot on the move, but it sails high past the Panthers, disappearing into the night sky. Cooper slams home another AP shell into the breech, his body moving fluidly in the action despite the tank's bouncing, just as Bob slews the tank into position, occluding Captain Whelchley's tank.

"Up!" Yells Cooper, just as you see a head pop up from the loader's hatch, coughing and spluttering, though you can't make any features before you turn your attention back to the Panthers. The turret rotates slightly reacquire them, Dickie's eye glued to his sight as he makes his adjusts his aim within seconds of Caesar's halt. The Panthers are pointed almost directly at you, even as you prepare to fire, the second is struck by a 17 pounder shell in the front of its turret and ceases moving. But the other has it's gun squarely trained on you.

"Firing!" The 75mm snaps and a tracer arcs out towards the Panther, reaching it in an instant, seeking the turret ring. And bounces off the depressed gun mantlet. The Panther's own gun adjusts slightly, then flashes.

-
(1/2)

>>1147275
(2/3)
-

> 14th June, 1944
> Normandy, Point 213, East of Villers-Bocage
> 6:15

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcunREYzNY

A handful of crewmen cluster on the back of one of the Squadron's few undamaged Cromwells, listening to the BBC on a portable radio while they pass around tea and smokes and hum along, the strain of yesterday's fighting passing with the rising sun. 2nd Panzer and Panzer Lehr pulled back in the night after you took Point 213's high ground, and word's been coming in the whole Caen front has fallen back Eastwards, attempting to get ahead of the Caumont Gap.

You shift to sit on the rear of the turret facing back over the field A Squadron attacked across, now littered with burnt out and disabled tanks, both German and Allied, as more tanks and Troops move past on either side headed up to Point 213 taking over the positions you secured in last night's counter-attack. Headed the other way, the ARV tows a salvagable Cromwell back towards Villers for repairs, the first of many trips for the day. And there, in the middle of the field, a Cromwell burned out and with its turret askew is visited by crewmen in twos and threes, some removing berets or saluting, others simply coming to look, Sergeant Major Turnbull actually cries, in a rare moment of humanity from the otherwise unflappable senior NCO. You just watch from your perch, unsure whether the feeling in your chest is anxiety or sorrow. Losing good Officers is always hard on a unit, and your work will be cut out for you in the days to come.

"Captain Welchley Ma'am." The voice shakes you from your reverie, you look down at Lieutenant Garnett, his eyes are tired and bloodshot and his face smeared with dirt, oil and dried blood, but you see the concern etched in it as he pauses a moment before speaking.

(2/3)

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>>1147278
(3/3)

"Regiment wants you to head back to the CP and submit a full report." You nod pensively in response, before looking back at Caesar's wreck. The shell had gone straight through the side and struck the ammunition, killed the Major and his in an instant.

"Thank you Lieutenant, I'll trust you to get the men back to Villers and some accommodation organised in the meantime then." Another crew, this time Lieutenant Oliver's girls salute the hulk.

"You'll do fine, ma'am. You did well leading us after the Major copped it, and you've got luck on your side too. I'm sure there's noone he'd rather trust the unit with." You sigh, then look back at him, composing yourself.

"Thank you for your kind words Lieutenant, that'll be all."

"Ma'am." He turns on his heel and leaves. You lean back over the turret so you can see down into the turret, wincing and the pressure it puts on your bandaged right arm.

"Jess. I'm headed back to Regiment to report, you have the tank until I return." Your loader nods from her seat, as she picks shards of metal out of the soft furniture, dumping them in a tin. Lt. Garnett had a point, luck certainly was on your side when the Panther shell passed clean through the turret without detonating or starting a fire. Just minor lacerations for you and Jessica, and some nasty cuts to Liz's back which had sent her to the aid station after the attack. Didn't even break the radio.

You hop down and start walking over to where a Humber Scout Car awaits, but stop halfway there. You turn to face Major Stanley's tank where it sits in the field, bring yourself to attention and snap off the sharpest salute your injured arm can muster.

> END
> Infopost Epilogue coming soon.

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>> INFO POST FINAL: Epilogue
The Battle of Villers-Bocage is widely considered one of the most bloody and hard fought tank battles of the war, and certainly of the Normandy campaign. After nearly an entire day of fighting, British tanks with infantry support took the high ground of Point 213, and with their command infrastructure in shambles, the German forces made the choice to pull back and attempt to reconnect their frontlines further South and Eastwards. This victory is often accredited in no small part to one Major David Stanley, VC, MC who not only stymied what could have been a rout for British forces when he ended Hauptmann Michael Wittman's rampage through 4 CLY in Villers-Bocage, killing the German Tiger Ace in what eye-witness reports called "A daring show of tankmanship and personal valour unlike any I have seen before or since." he would go on to ambush a German flanking force from 101st Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung, before leading a daring counterstroke around the South of the German positions with his own A Squadron, 5 RTR. The attack despite heavy resistance and mounting losses knocked out a number of German vehicles, captured a German radio post and then came upon and captured or killed most of the command staff from 2nd Panzer Division active in the area. He held this position until nightfall whereupon the Germans attacked, only for Stanley to personally lead the defence and even launch a counter-attack to take Point 213. At this point his tank was struck by a shell whilst moving to assist his XO's vehicle, which detonated his ammunition, killing Major Stanley and his crew instantly. In view of these myriad acts, he was awarded a Victoria Cross less than a month after his death, Britain's highest award for gallantry under fire.

Also awarded was the Squadron's second in command, Captain (retired Lt-Colonel) Eleanor Welchley DSO, MC, who received the Military Cross for "Her examplary leadership throughout the battle, particularly when, having lost its CO, she rallied her unit and carried home the vital attack on Point 213, despite being wounded and her tank having been struck with shellfire." Welchley would receive command A Squadron after the battle, and would make Major by war's end, serving as the Regimental XO. After the war she remained in the army, though she was rotated out of potential combat postings in 1946 when the WEMS act was overturned. She resigned in July 1950 after being refused a place in the 1st British Commonwealth Division, despite the endorsements of many officers and men who had served under her during the war. She married Arthur Penbroke, another former tankie in 1952 and taught military history at the University of Cambridge until her death in 1987.

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>>1147435
The repercussions of Villers-Bocage were numerous and far reaching, far too much so to be easily collated, but three can be easily ascertained: First, it solidified the 7th Armoured Division's reputation as the elite of Britain's armoured forces, despite concerns about the formation's motivation in the early days of the Normandy landings and lessons learned during it would go on to serve the 7th AD very well when it led the charge into Holland for Operation Market Garden. Secondly and somewhat contradictorily, it led to the sackings of a number of high ranked officers in the division, particularly over the decision to send 4 CLY forward without proper reconnaissance or knowledge of German forces, and thirdly, it led to large losses of men and machinery in the days afterwards for the Germans, and Panzer Lehr Division found its flank turned and hastily fell back, while 2nd Panzer Division desperately fought to close the Caumont Gap for nearly a week, when 7th AD finally retired from the salient. It is estimated the British victory there shortened the campaign for Caen by almost half a month.

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And that's Tankies Quest wrapped. To those players that took part or any lurkers about I hope you enjoyed it, took far longer than originally intended. I have plans for new quests coming soon (tm) so keep an eye on the Twitter, and I'll catch you all next time.

Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Tankies%20Quest
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Thanks for running, despite this being agonizingly slow at times.

I'm surprised the Major survived as long as he did.

>>1147613
Picking the Cromwell VIIw back in the first thread certainly helped. If you hadn't he probably would've bought it in the Tiger fight and things would've switched to Welchley for the rest of the quest (or until you'd gotten her killed).

>>1147637
BTW, what happened with 4 Troop in the end? All killed and/or captured, or did some manage to hold/slip away to allied lines?

>>1148257
Scattered for the most part, they were rookie crews and a couple of them actually bailed without their tanks being hit once the Germans closed range to them. Most found their way back to Villers or Le Mesnil ridge at some point in the night or next day, a handful were captured by the Germans but escaped during the night and found their way back to British lines, some were killed when tanks were hit or after they bailed (including the Firefly commander Corporal Lloyd and his crew, the only really experienced tankers), a number of others were wounded and 2 were reported MIA and presumed killed as their bodies were never found.

The Troop Leader and another Cromwell were both recovered almost wholly intact after the battle, having been abandoned before taking AT fire, but one Cromwell and the Firefly were destroyed, the Firefly beyond recovery.