Location: The village of Ladek Stary
Time: 1130 20 July 2000
<CPT Cappanetti waits until the rest of the group arrives, then says "Boys, we got a problem... the inbound
forces are mech, with a tank! Oh, and most of the village seems to be popping smoke...which means we'll be basically
holding the village on our own."
Josef walks up to CPT Cappanetti, "we have wagon with several horses inbound from the south, with 2 individuals,
one driving the wagon, and one on horseback. They seem friendly, but I don't want to take any chances...">
Lee confers with Cappanetti, "Looks like the villagers are pulling out. Sergeant Ikeman suggests we do the
same. I don't know how you guys are equipped for handling tanks, but Ikeman and I don't have much. Captain, we'll
do what ever you guys decide. Strength in numbers, you know. By the way, if you could give us a ride later, that
would be great."
SGM Stewart speaks up "I suggest that we get some info out of the pow before he checks out. And if they have
some heavy armor and we're light on AT rounds maybe it would be best if we pop smoke and move on."
CPT Cappanetti turns to SGM Stewart, you have 20 minutes. Cutter, Brantley give him a hand.
Cappanetti then turns to Josef, "tell me more about these 2 individuals coming from the south."
Josef says "I don't know much, other than one is wearing a sniper suit, and the wagon has an M60 mounted on
it, with several horse in tow."
Stewart, Cutter, and Brantley have a "pleasant conversation" with the prisoner. At the end of it, all
they find out is that the prisoner is part of the 12th Guards Tank Division and they have a dozen tanks.
The prisoner is beginning to cough up more blood than before...but he may last for days...gut shots are funny things.
About 1400 Josef says that the villagers have decided it's best to leave the village and rebuild what they can.
He says 4 of the younger men have decided to stay and fight if you so choose.
Josef also says that the 2 individuals to the south seem to be examining one of the abandoned farms about 2 klicks
south. Josef says his troops will continue to keep an eye on them.
The villagers are already streaming out of the village, and by 1430 they are all gone, with the exception of the
4 men. Josef says "good luck in whatever you do."
At 1435, an explosion in the damaged sector of the village signals the arrival of the enemy. One of the villagers
in the barn spots a dust cloud to the north. Another explosion about 20 meters closer than the first happens about
a minute after the first.
Location: 5 km south of Ladek Starey
Time: 1300 July 2000
<Heading north towards the village, CPT Whitedog calls a quick halt, after spotting the outline of several buildings,
most likely part of the village. "Well sarge, lock and load...might be hostiles in the area." After a
couple minutes, CPT Whitedog says "Ready?">
Kartz Locks a belt of 300rounds into his m-60. I'll cover you from here cap'. Or if you want I could find a higher
vantage point" Your call.
"Cover me from here, don't want to tip off anyone that we are here yet. Just be ready to move if you hear
gunfire."
Kartz replies "roger."
CPT Whitedog dismounts and slowly moves along the woodline around the buildings, looking for any sign of life.
He notices that they are still south of the village, probably 2 klicks or so. After about 45 minutes (never can
be too careful), he decides to move to check out the buildings.
John Ingle watches with interest as what looks like a sniper skirts the woodline of the farm that he has taken
as temporary refuge. The sniper has a german sniper rifle, though that means nothing at this stage of the war.
Settling his crosshairs on the individual, not taking the shot yet, as he doesn't want to give away his position.
CPT Whitedog heads towards the farmhouse, while keeping his eye on the barn. Reaching the house, Whitedog stops,
and listens for movement or other signs of life in the house.
John Ingle guages the range, a cake shot, it's maybe a hundred meters. The sniper slings his rifle and reaches
under his suit, producing an MP5. The sniper then reaches to open the door.
The sound of an explosion in the village causes the sniper to make himself one with the dirt. The sniper then
bolts to his feet and rushes through the door, hoping nobody is home.
Kartz eases the safety off on the '60 and glances at his watch: 1435...
Ingle watches the sniper eat dirt, then glances at his watch...just after 1430, and it sounds like the village
has some unwelcome visitors.
Location: 2km East of Highway 43, 14 km Southeast of Ladek Starey
Time: 1230 20 July 2000
<After a few klicks, Pickett spots something out of the ordinary just off the road...it looks like a truck,
No sign of movement around it.>
A quick hand signal to Gunn draws his attention to the truck.
The truck looks like a 5-ton cargo, and is on the west side of the road, facing north. The tarp is still over the
bed, and there are no obvious signs of fresh combat around it.
SFC Gary Smith is a long way from his unit, and even farther from home. But such is the life of a scout. He was
reconning the town of Praszka when the radio traffic of "good luck you're on your own" was sent. Since
then, he's been picking his way home. After cutting west to Highway 43, he turned north following the highway at
a distance. After a few close calls near Kepno and Ostrzeszow, he got back into the relative safety of the forest.
He'd been moving for almost 6 hours already today when he spotted a seemingly abandoned truck alongside the road
about 500 meters north on the same side of the road.
Smith mutters to himself "I should avoid this truck altogether, but I'm sick of walking. If nothing else I
may be able to scrounge something useful off it" as he checks the chamber of his M16 and slowly moves in on
the truck.