Location: South of Sieradz-Kalisz Road
Time: 0930 18 July 2000
<SSG Cutter suggested holing up for a few days, and SSG Martinez agreed, he wanted to check out the vehicles>
The Major turns to CPT Cappanetti and says "Well Captain? What do you think?"
CPT Cappanetti responds:
"Home, boys! That's where. Find out what's left of the U.S. forces on this
side of the pond, pack 'em up, and move out."
<waves generally westward>
"Since we don't have enough real gas to truck through Germany and France...
I heard, though, that Krakow is the place where we *might* be able to buy
enough. Whaddya say, Major? Cruise by the Free City and see if we can pick
up some real truck juice?"
"We can think about that later, but for right now, we need to get out of the open. We'll head into the forest
to the south of here and find a good spot to hole up for a few days. Let things cool down a bit. We have some fuel,
but we can always use more."
"We'll move out in this fashion: I'll drive my humvee with the 60, Cutter will man the 60 and Sergeant Major
Brantley will ride shotgun. Staff Sergeant Martinez will drive the 2&1/2 ton with the captain. Captain Wolfe
and Sergeant Major Martinez will take rear guard with mk19 humvee. If we encounter anyone, hide the 2&1/2 ton...it's
too inviting a target. Remember to keep at least 75 meters between vehicles, and when we find a suitable site,
we'll set up with the 2&1/2 ton in the center of the perimeter. Any questions? none, good. MOVE OUT!!!!"
Radio freqs are exchanged, and everyone moves out at the set interval. As you travel you hear frantic calls for
help, followed by messages indicating that they've been overrun. From the sounds of it, it doesn't sound good for
the division.
After a few hours of traveling and a few near misses, you find a suitable site to hole up for a few days. It's
a small hill well off the road, with decent fields of fire, but still defendable. You can easily hide the vehicles
and your presence. You position the mk19 facing the road, and the m60 in a position that you can cover the mk19.
The Major tells the gunners to stay at the weapons and brings everyone else in. He then says "I'm major Stone.
What I want done is this: I need someone to sweep the perimeter, and once that is done, I want the still fired
up. Captain, I want an inventory of the equipment we have. Once we get the perimeter totally secured, I want to
get some scouting done of the area. SSG Martinez, since you want to check out the vehicles, get on it. Don't pull
anything apart yet, we might have to move out quickly. Everyone else I want on security until the perimeter sweep
is done. Who's going on the perimeter sweep?"