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>>815301
(2/2)

"The Stuarts could give us an edge if you reconnoitred in force, but only until heavier German armour arrived and we're still short on infantry, though with 1/7th arriving now that should change, and a successful attack on our part would recover much of the Motor Company trapped in no man's land." You reply, pointing tentatively to locations on the map where survivor's of the morning's ambush could have holed up. "But we'd be at risk of getting cut off or destroyed in a straight fight, not to mention our position is precarious enough as is." You point to the field on the Eastern edge of Villers where you're currently sitting. Just as Dyas opens his mouth to respond, your deliberations are interrupted by Lieutenant Cooper, who pops out of the loader's hatch on Caesar to call to you.

"Major, er Major Dupont's set up a command post in the town centre and wants a report on the recce situation up here before we retired back to 5 RTR positions!" He holds the handset out towards you. Looks like it's time to make a decision.

> Leave it to Captain Dyas, you should be getting back to your unit anyway, he and Major Dupont can figure out a plan.
> They should send out the Stuarts and gather what infantry they can to mount a reconnaissance in force, if the Germans can be forced out of the area between Villers and 213 then A Sqdn can fall back safely.
> They should pull all their troops back into Villers, they don't have the numbers to contest the dead ground with German elements moving in and every hand will be needed to hold Villers soon.
> Other

>>815304
> They should send out the Stuarts and gather what infantry they can to mount a reconnaissance in force, if the Germans can be forced out of the area between Villers and 213 then A Sqdn can fall back safely

>>815304
>> They should send out the Stuarts and gather what infantry they can to mount a reconnaissance in force, if the Germans can be forced out of the area between Villers and 213 then A Sqdn can fall back safely.

> They should send out the Stuarts and gather what infantry they can to mount a reconnaissance in force, if the Germans can be forced out of the area between Villers and 213 then A Sqdn can fall back safely.

"Tell him we're moving out in force and request that he send up at least a Platoon from the 1/7th and a Troop from B Squadron to support. Captain, organise the Recce Troop and get these footsloggers together, we'll push out in force to reconnoitre route 213 and drive off any forward elements Jerry sends at us." You say, jumping back to your tanks and sliding down into the commander's position, reattaching your headset and getting ready to move out. Captain Dyas nods and debusses, barking orders to the surrounding men as he starts rounding up a force to push out East. Lieutenant Cooper exchanges some words over the radio then hands the transmitter to you.

"Major Dupont, sir, said he wants a word." You nod and take the handset.

"Major Dupont, this is Major Stanley, you wanted a word?" You say, then wait a few moments for a response.

"Ah yes Major," A voice crackles back over your headset, even the interference of the radio not hiding a rather posh Southern accent and boisterous inflection. "Delighted to have you on board really, and I'm sending up a Troop of armour as requested, along with the B Coy of the 1/7th, should be quite enough to recce Jerry and hold the start point don't you say? Good show." God, he sounds like about the most typical cavalry officer you'd ever meet, but at least he seems to have a better head on his shoulders than most of that lot.

"Thank you Major, I'll put them to work as soon as they arrive." You furrow your brow, wondering why he needed to communicate that personally.

"Actually Major Stanley, I'd greatly appreciate it if you didn't." Huh? "Captain Dyas will take the lead from here on out, as I understand it I'm here to relieve you, and you've a Squadron of your own chaps waiting for your orders. 'Fraid you staying around here would only confuse things really, and you could probably do with some rest. No hard feelings though, right?" Well, he's not wrong you suppose, and you have been at it basically since morning. Your stomach growls as if to emphasise his points. Bugger it all!

(1/2)

Sorry for the long update, this one became a bit of a monster.

>>815595
(2/2)

"None, Major Dupont. I'll stop by the command post to give a full report on my way back." You say your goodbyes to Captain Dyas as he sets up a temporary command post next to his Cromwell and wish him luck. The Stuarts and Motor Company infantry set off as you leave, headed East into the Bocage. On your way back to the town centre you pass the reinforcing tanks from B Sqdn as well as the advancing lorried infantry company. The infantry are a sorry sight to be blunt, despite seeing no combat yet today many of them trudge sullenly forwards, strung out and lethargic with only the leading platoon showing good march discipline and moving with skilla and purpose. It's a common sight amongst the foot units in Normandy. Too many burned out veterans and unmotivated conscripts makes units slow to move and lazy in the attack, and things like the WEMS act helped by bringing a few more able lads, but they couldn't fix it wholly.
-
-
You trundle back up the hill towards Le Mesnil ridge, leaning back on the half open hatch and relaxing a bit for the first time since you entered Villers, the sounds of battle increasing behind you, guess Jerry didn't want to give up Route 213 too easily. As you drive up into the ridge positions themselves commanders and crews alike give you nods, quiet cheers or gestures of encouragement and congratulations, a few even ask if you really killed a Tiger, but you wave them all off for now. Let Dickie tell them the story later, you were never cut out for it. Finally though you roll to a halt next to Aethelfled, just Captain Welchley emerges from the trees nearby.

"Major Stanley, you're back! We thought you'd just about switched regiments you were gone so long, sir." She says, a tinge of relief colouring her tone.

"Wouldn't dream of it Captain. Now how are we holding up here?"

"Well enough, but is it true you killed a Tiger on your own?" She asks eagerly, and you see a few heads poking out of nearby hatches and straining to hear your response.

> "Later Captain, I want a full sitrep first."
> "I wasn't alone, and it wasn't without losses."
> "Dickie, you can tell the story." It could be good for morale.

>>815599
Forgot the
> Other
option.

>>815599
> "Later Captain, I want a full sitrep first."
> "I wasn't alone, and it wasn't without losses."
> "Dickie, you can tell the story." It could be good for morale.

all of the above, maybe with the sitrep for after all the rest.

>>815599
>> "Later Captain, I want a full sitrep first."
>>"Other"
"But short story, yes. Now that sitrep please?"

>>815629
This.

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> Everything

"I wasn't alone, a Corporal from 4 CLY engaged with me. His tank got brewed up though, no bails." You say, mulling Patters' death over for a few moments and the faces of many of your onlookers turn grim. "Anyway, Dickie can tell the rest of the story far better than I can."

"You're bloody well right I can, you mopey old bastard!" Your gunner yells from his position below you, eliciting a few chuckles from the spectators and lightening the mood again. "Now piss off out of the hatch so they can hear me properly."

"You know, I am your commanding officer, Sergeant Devine." You say, putting emphasis on his rank.

"Then piss off out of the hatch, SIR." He shoots back, getting more chuckles, even Welchley emitting a snort of laughter.

"That's all I was looking for Sergeant." You hoist yourself out of the cupola and then drop down onto the ground in front of Captain Welchley. Normally, a Sergeant speaking so crassly to an officer, especially a Major would be grounds for demotion, let alone a reprimand, but you and Dickie went way back. You'd been in the same crew since France in 1940, a nearly unique situation in the Division, let alone the regiment, and besides, you were fairly certain the banter helped with morale. As Dickie begins recounting, with some embellishments your actions in Villers the onlookers pull themselves out of their vehicles and sit on the hulls to listen, a few even gather round to hear better. You however step away and beckon Welchley to follow you, heading towards the East side of the ridge.

"Not you Captain, I want a full sitrep, how's our position looking up here." She nods and then trots after you, catching up in a few steps.

"Yes, sir. I've positioned Four Troop at the North End of the ridge, closest to the HQ troop's position. That side's now covered by Achilles' from Norfolk Yeomanry too, and is the least likely to come under attack from German forces. Three Troop's on the Eastern side of the ridge, with good lines of fire towards the Southern and Western parts of Villers. We already fended off one party of German infantry that were attempting to move in past the railway station with long range HE fire, and the Troop Sergeant, Penn claimed a half-track destroyed. But our main position is the South Eastern side." She points South of you and begins leading you through the undergrowth in that direction. "I've set up Wahed and Two Troops' tanks so they can cover the whole South-Eastern approach. We should be able to spot enemy movement before it gets into the woodlands below us and I expect it to be the most likely approach for any large scale attack on our positions or attempt to outflank the units in Villers."

(1/2)

>>815857
(2/2)

"Good work Captain, you seem to have things well under control."

"Thank you, sir. Would you like to inspect any of the positions personally?."

> "Yes, take me to One and Two Troop's position to the South-East."
> "Yes, let's go to Three Troop's position, I want to see where those German infantry were moving through."
> "Yes, I'd like to see Four Troop's position, they're inexperienced and could do with the oversight, even if their position's pretty safe."
> "No, let's just get back to the HQ Troop and take stock of things."
> Other

>>815863
"Yes, let's go to Three Troop's position, I want to see where those German infantry were moving through."

>>815863
>> "Yes, let's go to Three Troop's position, I want to see where those German infantry were moving through."

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> "Yes, let's go to Three Troop's position, I want to see where those German infantry were moving through."

"Of course, follow me, sir." She steps ahead of you and begins leading you through underbrush. You walk in silence, the only sound the distant pops and chatters of Dyas' recce forces clashing with their opposite numbers. You try to pick out who's winning from the sounds, but after a couple minutes you realise it's a futile effort, you can hear gunfire from both sides, though nothing too big from the Germans yet, aside from the booms of the Tigers still pounding Point 213. Hopefully they can hold out just a little longer. Another minute or so's walking brings you down towards the treeline, and about 20 feet back in from it you spot Three Troop, their tanks drawn up in firing positions and commanders turned out, scanning the low ground with binoculars. You wave as one of them turns around to check something on the back of his turret and he returns the gesture though the movement seems a little tense, probably just the nerves from recently being in action. It's the Troop's young new leader, Lt Roy Dixon if you remember correctly; Inexperienced, but with a good head on his shoulders and the right kind of spirit for tank work.

"Ah, Lieutenant Dixon, heard you lads had a bit of target practice with the Jerry earlier." You say amicably, trying to put him at ease.

"Uh, yes, Major, nothing so serious as your work in the town though." He says, grinning a bit sheepishly and scratching his head, his body language relaxing as your reassuring casual tone does its work. "Just a couple half-tracks and maybe a platoon of infantry trying to advance along the road into town."

"Regardless, good work Lieutenant, you're shaping up to quite the Troop Leader. Now show me where they were." His chest puffs with a bit of pride at that and he nods as you pull yourself up on to the tank next to him.

"Just there Major," He points down into the low ground and you immediately spot their handiwork, about 900 yards away on the road from Aunay-Sur-Odon. One German half-track is smouldering, most of its back half blown open, probably by a HE round while another is abandoned seemingly without damage. On the ground near them are littered maybe a dozen bodies in Feldgrau uniforms, along with one or two more in the adjacent fields. "I don't think they realised we'd taken the ridge, or at least that we wouldn't be able to get a good shot from where we were."

(1/2)

>>816396
(2/2)

"Indeed, I imagine we've Captain Welchley's keen eye to thank for that." You say, "Now, why don't you give two of your crews a break for lu-" You are cut off as the Lieutenant raises a finger to silence you, cupping his headset with his other hand and listening intently. He looks up a moment later.

"Sir, One Troop just spotted four more Tigers moving to the South East about a mile out, they appear to be advancing towards the ridge but haven't spotted our units yet, they're waiting for orders."

> "Give me your headset Lieutenant, I'll get a detailed report and command from your tank for now."
> "Tell them to hold fire for now, Welchley, come along back to the HQ Troop, double time!"
> "Tell them to fire whenever they're in range, Welchley, come along back to the HQ Troop, double time!"
> "Tell Lieutenant Garnett (One Troop's Leader) he has command and may engage on his call, we'll head back to the HQ Troop."
> "We'll head straight to their position and assess the situation directly. Tell them to observe for the moment but not to engage unless fired upon."
> Other

I really need to get better at writing faster.

>>816405
>> "Tell Lieutenant Garnett (One Troop's Leader) he has command and may engage on his call, we'll head back to the HQ Troop."
It's important for the man on the scene to have command. I just hope he is an able Lieutenant

>>816405
> "Tell Lieutenant Garnett (One Troop's Leader) he has command and may engage on his call, and "Give me your headset Lieutenant, I'll get a detailed report and command from your tank for now."

>>816441
He's actually one of the few men in the Regiment who can rival the Major's service record and unlike the Major, Lt Garnett was a real guy. Went from Private soldier to officer over the course of his service and was one of the better liked and respected Troop Leaders. He actually won a Military Cross later in the war for his exceptional leadership throughout the NW Europe campaign.

> "Tell Lieutenant Garnett (One Troop's Leader) he has command and may engage on his call, we'll head back to the HQ Troop."

You jog back through the wooded terrain towards the HQ Troop, near the crest of the ridge. Arriving, you see that the crowd which had formed to listen to your gunner's tall tales has already dispersed and remounted their tanks. Lieutenant Cooper beckons you from your tank and without breaking stride you jump up onto the front of the tank, using its squared of construction like steps to clamber your way onto the turret and into your position. Throwing on your headset you immediately take the proffered handset from your adjutant and begin transmitting as soon as the Regimental net quiets.

"Able-1 this is Able, what's your sitrep? over."

"Able this is Able-1, we've spotted four German Tigers advancing towards the ridge from the South-East, they must have flanked around over the course of the morning." Come Lieutenant Garnett's reply, the old sweat's reply is measured and calm, coloured only by his thick Durham accent. "Their range looks to be about 1600 yards and they're moving very slowly, likely trying to keep down smoke and dust. I don't think they realise we're on the Southern end of the ridge." He rattles off their approximate coordinates and you jot them down quickly on your map. It looks like they're assuming your forces took the most obvious positions on the ridge and staying hidden from them, but that extra time scouting sightlines seems to have paid off.

"Able-1 I copy, will you be able to engage them?" You say, trying to project the Germans' line of advance.

"Able, should be, unless they catch wind of us, and we got the lasses' Firefly here too, should be good to hit them from the side once they cross about 900 yards out."

"Able-1, Able-2 can your Fireflys make those shots at that range?" The Firefly might be devastatingly powerful but already you'd learned that power came at a price and aside from its huge muzzle flash and loud report, it was also quite inaccurate on the jury rigged Sherman chassis.

"Don't you worry Major, we'll make 'em count. Executioner V's got the Krauts' numbers now." The Yorkshire accent of Sergeant Sharp replies, commander of One Troop's Firefly.

"I have the utmost confidence in my own gunner's ability too, sir." The clipped and posh feminine voice of Two Troop's Firefly commander, Sergeant Blackburn stands in stark contrast, her crew being well known for their decorum, she probably should've ended up in a Guards unit if it weren't for their disdain for women crews.

(1/2)

>>816712
(2/2)

"Able, this is Able-2, we just spotted more Germans moving with the Tigers." Another woman's voice, this time belonging to Lieutenant Oliver, Leader of Two Troop. "Looks to be a platoon of half-track infantry with a towed 75mm gun in support, and... four armoured cars." Shit, more of 2nd Panzer Division's Recce battalion, that changes things.

"Copy Able-2, wait one." You ponder for a moment, what to do?

> One and Two Troop should have enough firepower to deal with this still, hold your current positions and let them engage at will.
> Move the HQ Troop forward, two more 75s and a pair of 95mm Howitzers will help a lot.
> Ask Regiment for more support (what?)
> Other

>>816718
> Ask Regiment for more support (what?)
75mm arty barrage, save the 105's and 155's if we face something bigger.

>>816725
This is good. Artillery will rattle the Tigers. If we could get a strafing run, that would be nice

>>816725
The only artillery you have on hand are the batteries of Sextons with 25 pounders with the 5th Royal Horse Artillery back at Amaye-sur-Seulles, you could task a battery to assist but that would take them away from their current work supporting Point 213 and the forces attacking Route 213.

>>816767
That said, the 95mm Howitzers on Cromwell CS tanks can be used for barrage work.

>>816767
Just have them fire a few salvos at them then

>>816779
yeah, a volley or two just to weaken them a bit.

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> Ask Regiment for more support (Artillery)

"Regiment, this is Able, can you get an OP tank up on the ridge, we'll need Artillery Support for this."

"Copy, Able, Captain O'Leery, you're up."

"Understood, I'll be up there in a jiffy Major, but you'll have to lead me to their position." An Irish accented voice responds.

-
-

> 12:10

You trundle Caesar ahead of Captain O'Leery's Sherman OP, headed towards One and Two Troops' positions. Welchley in Aethelfled follows behind, her engine deck loaded up with water and spare fuel so that the tanks could be fully fueled if they needed to make a quick getaway or counterattack. Over the radio, Lieutenant Garnett periodically counts down the range of the German forces. Thankfully their pace hasn't quickened at all and they're just passing 1200 yards now thanks to frequent stops and attempts to remain concealed.

You follow the track furrows of the Troops and sure enough you shortly catch sight of a quartet of tanks ahead of you, still about 30 feet within the tree line, hidden well amongst the shrubbery and even partially dug in in the case of the Troop's Firefly, with their commanders turned out and scanning the South-East with binoculars, it's clear the tanks belong to Two Troop, where most of the Regiment's other female crews reside. You're about to contact Lieutenant Oliver over the radio to let her know you're coming in when the sound of a hatch opening to your left catches you attention. There, not 25 feet distant in their own positions are another four tanks. These are covered in twigs, branches, hessian strips and camouflage nets, Wahed Troop's penchant for concealment standing them in good stead as their tanks become nigh invisible amongst the dense plant life. With their hatches closed, it's not surprising you missed them entirely. Lieutenant Garnett emerges from the recently opened hatch and nods at you, placing his unlit pipe between his teeth as your tanks roll to a halt.

"That the OP tank?" He asks, nodding again, this time in the direction of the Sherman.

"Aye Jack, help him find a position would you? I'll have your tanks refueled too."

"Hmph, righto Major." He dismounts from his tank and jogs over to the Sherman, clambering up its side to talk to the Irish Artilleryman. You take the handset back and key it.

"Alright, Captain Welchley, have your crew help refuel these tanks, Garnett'll help the OP get sighted." You switch it to intercom mode. "Take us forward Bob, in with Two Troop, I want eyes on these Germans while I'm here."

"Aye aye, Major, long as you aint huntin' for another Tiger today, I don't the old girl's gun can quite do it at this range."

"No promises Lance Corporal." Caesar begins rolling forward again and you unsling your binoculars. Alright Jerry, let's see what you're up to...

That's it for today's Tankies Quest, unless something odd comes up, join me tomorrow same time, new thread as I'll be running again, and maybe once more the day after, as I'd like to finish Villers-Bocage and consequently at least this chapter of Tankies by the end of the weekend. Feel free to ask any questions or whatnot, as I'll be around for a good while.

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

>>816954
Cool thanks for the run OP

>>816954
Once more, nice read. Thanks for running and sorry for being a weakass and asleep while you're actually running.