Screaming Eagles

Chapter 32- Patton's 3rd Army

The elements of Patton's 3rd army had broken through the outer German encirclement and had the Krauts in full retreat.

It was another five minutes before the radio crackled to life and the sounds of heavy combat could be heard on the other end.

"This is the 4th company, we ran into a fucking King Tiger entrenched across a field half a click east, they wiped out the first squad and second is taking a beating, requesting immediate support over!"

Then the company commander from 2nd company answered, "Roger that, hold tight until we get there, out." Then he clicked the radio and spoke to his company "2nd company change course to assist 4th company!" He ordered and immediately the lead tank adjusted his course appropriately and charged forward to the aid of 4th company off in the distance.

*

Across the field from 4th company, Ragnarok

"Feuer frei Lochmann!" Marcus ordered and the young gunner didn't hesitate as he began to dispatch the Shermans with deadly precision.

A few hours prior to the engagement when the order to retreat was issued, the fuel situation for Marcus's tank was dire. They were over extended and running on fumes.

The worst part of it all was the Americans, they were only half a mile away and closing rapidly. So, in order to buy the 1st Asgard Company enough time to escape. Marcus ordered their Tiger II up the small hill to try and slow down the advance.

That was when the tank finally gave out, completely out of fuel and stranded on the hilltop.

Looking out through his cupola, Marcus watched one of the Shermans trying to flee go up in flames once the Tiger II's HEAT round had made contact with the engine block.

That was when the reinforcements from the 2nd company had arrived and all the Shermans in 2nd and 4th company joined the ranks and pressed their attack.

All at once, the 28 Shermans opened fire on the Tiger II's position, the impacts were terrifying and Ragnarok could only take so much from the combined fire raining down on her.

"Herr we're being flanked!"

"Continue shooting Lochmann don't let up! We can't leave unless the tank's on fire!"

They were being rattled and shaken around with each impact, sometimes a shell would pierce through but with no damage caused since it wasn't enough.

"You're free to leave at any time!" Marcus yelled over the deafening sounds of the impact against their tank, but none of them budged an inch.

"Command tank spotted 2 o'clock load APCR!"

A moment had passed before a response came over the constant denting and pinging off against the armor. As minor holes were being punctured into the Tigers armor.

"Loaded!"

"Fire!"

The tank rumbled while the cannon spat out its projectile down range to collide with the Shermans frontal armor.

It carved through the plating like a knife through hot butter, it wasn't a match for the 88mm.

Then as the Shermans continued up and more and more shots were denting and penetrating the side armor, a song broke out over the sound of battle.

"Ob sturm oder schneit... Ob die Sonne uns lacht! Der Tag glühend heiß, oder eis Kalt die nacht!"

Frost was cut off though when a Sherman's AP round almost penetrated the front. That was when everyone started to sing their favorite song that always brought them comfort.