Tucker gathers with the rest of the landing party and listens to Jan.  "That sounds good to me Jan.  I suggest we travel light as we can.  Weapons, days water and food, ammo, cold weather gear.  Not too much more.  Sound good?"

While the recce patrol is away, Bayer moves up to the wheelhouse to find Griet, shutting the door behind him but not before a gust of wind and snow blows in along with him. Then after wiping away the wetness of melted snow from his face, he says to her, "I want to talk again about what you mentioned before. Do have a gun team ready to man the Vasilek and the other primary weapons? I'll give you first choice on your crew, this will be your show after all, and I will take the remainder for security. Any other issues you want to discuss before they are here?"

Craig spent most of his spare time in the galley while the storm raged outside. There was little point continuing with the repairs in this weather. He was happy to help when call upon and would take his shift providing security for the tug.

On patrol, Jay took point some distance ahead of his team leader and machine gunner. He walked carefully and quietly, scanning each derelict building as they went. The memory of the cannibal was still fresh in his mind, and he was wary of others who had followed a similar path.

He checked both the buildings and the paths for signs of recent activity - camp fires, tracks, debris and the like.

Griet thought about the crew she'd need, "McClurg will need to be on one Dushka with Kellerman loading for him. I'd like Thjis on the other Dushka as he has autogun experience. As for a mortar crew, Anders seems to have the best experience to be Number One Gunner and anyone we can spare can act as loader. I'd also like Connolly with me in the wheelhouse to run Comms and act as XO. Would that be too many?"

While heading for the snipers nest, Jeff intercepts Konrad before he meets with Griet.  "Mr. Bayer, if you'd like, I can contact friends in high places about the situation ahead."

Once the conversation concludes, he'll bundle up and head topside to support the shore party from his nest until they are out of sight, before heading back below.

It took Anders some time and use of tools, especially a hammer, to get in to an agreement with the Vasilek, but he did take it apart and put it back together all the same. Fingers greasy, he reappeared victorious on to the bridge with a grin. "The weapon can be dismantled and put back together, though if we do, I'll need a bigger crew for it. If I can suggest, it could use a gun shield. Some steel plate, cutter for it and welding gear and it would feel far less exposed. I could even weld it for you, captain." The words were directed to Griet. To Anders, an NCO in command of a boat was nothing new, though this particular vessel was approaching the ship-category at full speed. He was new to these people and showing courtesy didn't really hurt.

"Yes, I agree.  We are not to clear the village if we encounter anything," replied Jan.

---

After finishing the initial stage of their recee Jan reported in to his CO over the radio.

"Konrad.  Jan here," he transmitted.  "Village appears deserted.  Sufficient space for passengers to wait out the storm.  There is a high point that would make a good location for an OP or heavy weapon emplacement or both.  It has a good view down river.  Do you want us to set up an OP or come back?"

During the pause after the initial look-see, Thijs continued to scan the area, trying to make out anything unusual through the falling snow.

With the determination that the east bank is clear and ready to receive the men and horses of the Soviet 89th cavalry division, the reconaissance team descends the bluff overlooking the Vistula and reboards the tug which dutifully ferries them back across the river. An hour later, the first group of about two dozen mounted Soviet cavalrymen arrive. Bundled in a mix of Red Army issue and civilian cold weather clothing, they squeeze into the tiny hamlet and immediately begin assessing the few standing structures, informally cataloguing materials that can be used in the completion of the raft. Although they don't look like much, the cavalrymen handle themselves professionally. They are clearly well organized and led, as well as determined to leave the war behind.

A second group arrives, long logs slung between some of the horses. Taking advantage of the day's remaining light, they immediately begin reconstruction of the raft. The third and fourth groups also bring materials and join in the building. Over the next two hours, most of the balance of the division arrives, along with its last remaining heavy weapons. A dozen men stay behind, tasked with building bonfires in Wloclawek for the benefit of the scouting teams from the still-loyal Soviet 92nd cavalry division parked across the river. The hamlet is now a crowed, bustling staging area, the peaceful quiet of a couple hours past replaced by organized chaos, a cacophany of voices, whinying horses, and pounding hammers. The 89th's ZU-23-2 is parked near the piers, both to cover the iminent ferrying operation, and to faciliate tranfser to the tug as payment for its help in crossing the river. As night falls on the hamlet of, so does the snow. There's at least three inches on the ground, with more sure to come.

Fires are lit for warmth and light and raft construction continues under the glare of lanterns and torches. At just after 2400hrs, the raft is completed. It's dragged to the riverbank near the twin piers and pushed into the sheltered water between the two man-made breakwaters. It floats well, with about a foot of freeboard. In cooperation with the tug crew, the erstwhile Soviet engineers fasten the raft to the Wisla Krolowa. Eight horses are led on to the raft, accompanied by four human attendants. The rest of the their riders and about two dozen others board the tug, crowding around the Vasilek forward and filling the broad fantail aft.


Next Moves?


OOC: This is last call for skill checks. Also, I need to know if the tug is pulling or pushing the raft, and whether it is fastened forward or aft (of the tug).

This message was deleted by the player at 00:33, Fri 18 Jan 2013.

Griet found the senior officer for the unit and spoke quickly, "The raft will be lashed to the front of the boat. We work best as a pusher rather than a puller. Do you have scouts upriver to warn us of anything coming toward us? If you don't, I do not want any personnel in the front part of the boat. Our only defence is the mortar and if we can't use it then we'd better have a good forewarning of danger."

She looked at the man and continued, "If you have any medical personnel I have a sickbay on board set up for cold weather treatment. Send them to me and I'll install them there if you want. That small craft there is available for rescue work. I don't have crew to man it but if you have a couple of engineers or anyone with small boat skills they are welcome to use it."

"Follow me and I'll talk to the people on the raft," she walked to the prow of the boat where the raft was lashed and double checked the cables and ropes. She had collected as many flotation devices as she could and handed them out to the occupants of the raft.

"You know how best to keep your beasts calm so do it." she said to them, "the raft is on the upriver side of the boat so if you fall off the current should take you into the hull. If someone falls yell 'man overboard' and I'll stop the boat. If you can, move for the hull. If you can't, remain still, trust the flotation device and wait for the rescue boat."

"Any questions?"

OCC
Raft is lashed to the prow of the boat at roughly 2 O'clock to four o'clock if you imagine the very prow to be twelve. We will cross the river with the raft upstream.

As the Russian troops are arriving, Bayer hastily assembles the security team on the deck for a quick brief. "Thijs... starboard gun." he says first, motioning up to the DSHK where his duty station would be. "Jay... you've handled the Vasilek before correct? I need an experienced No.2 up there with Mattson." he says, picking the Gurkha out of the line next.

Bayer then turns to Carlisle and says, "Engineer ja? Experience with this sort of thing. I want you to help oversee the crossing... I don't know how but however you can be most effective at keeping the Russians from ending up in the river. LaRue will be with you." He then asks both men, "What do you think about the launch being used as a safety boat to pickup anyone who falls in?"

"Jan, Lieutenant Sutherland... port security and crowd control."

"Filipov, Mariusz... starboard security and crowd control."

Finally Bayer looks to Quyen and Tucker, and places them either at the front of the boat, or in the launch as a safety team to haul out any Russian who falls in - depending on which is more feasible considering the current weather conditions.

Before sending them off, Bayer says, "Turn your radios on. If something happens it will happen quickly. Be ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Fri 18 Jan 2013.

"I will man the machinegun if you wish, Kapitein," Thijs replied to Bayer, then continued, "but I am capable of handling the small boat if you require someone to do that.  I am not questioning your orders, but simply pointing out other options."

"No, I understand." Bayer answers. "Sergeant Tucker and Quyen can both handle a boat, as I am sure you can. Griet needs a skilled gunner though. I will keep note of it for the future."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Sat 19 Jan 2013.

Jay nodded his acceptance of the order. He wasn't that experienced but had received training and could follow orders from the more able gunner.

Hearing, he would be serving with the Gurkha, Anders approached the corporal. "Well, looks like we're a team", he said, extending his hand at the man. "I'm Anders. Let's go ready the weapon, so we're prepared if something happens." The Finn seemed reasonably laid back and pleasant. "You've fired this thing before?"

Jan nodded at Konrad's orders.  "Craig.  With me."

As he started to move off he turned back to Konrad.  "Do we have an OP down river to warn us if the Russian boat is coming this way?"

In reply to Anders Mattson (msg # 217):

Jay took the offered hand and shook it. "Welcome Mister Anders-ji, please to be calling me Jay." As they moved towards the Vasilek he tried to remember all that Dawid had taught him during their training sessions. When quizzed by Anders he look up at the Finn. "Trainings, yes. Firings, no. But you tell me, I listen, I do as you say." He looked at the weapon with a glint in his eye. It was clear that what he lacked in experience on this weapon would be tempered by enthusiasm.

"Well, you have had more training with this weapon than I - I have heard this thing exist but that's practically all. I know how to fire heavy guns. My old ship had a 120mm cannon." Anders headed for the Vasilek. "Let's load few clips so we have them ready. If we need to fire, you load, I aim and fire. When I need you to reload, I will call 'load' and when you have loaded, you will call 'up', okay? That way I will not try to fire your arm at the enemy." The Finn grinned and picked up the black, metallic clip. "Three clips should do for now", he said perhaps a bit tentatively. He wasn't exactly sure of the firing rate of the mortar - the 120mm Bofors had fired 80 rounds a minute, making it the biggest autocannon in existance. The mechanism on the Vasilek was about the same.

"Yes. The Russians are covering it... but I don't know the details yet." Bayer replies. He then moves up to the wheelhouse to co-ord with Griet and the Russian commander. He'll first follow up Jan's question by asking how the Russians back at the camp will alert the crossing of any enemy movements. After that he will ask that the very first group across immediately position themselves on the high feature for additional security and observation. If possible they should have heavy weapons (not the ones being traded with us but other machineguns and the like).

As Griet estimated times for the first journey, she frowned, she spoke to the Russian liaison on the bridge and said, "Tell your people they need to assemble more rafts than this. At this rate we'll take a week of non-stop steaming to ferry everyone across."

"Yes, sir," Thijs replied, then went to the starboard DShK to check and familiarise himself with the weapon and its field of fire.

Mariusz moved to the starboard side of the boat and got into a position where he could cover the rear movement between the fore and aft of the boat. He settled down and tried not to get too cold.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg # 221):

Jan nodded in agreement and moved to his assigned position as part of the security detail.

As the Russians started coming aboard he enquired if any of them spoke Polish, Czech or Slovak (or English) and if they did he asked them a question in an appropriate language.  "If you have anything you are considering trading, particularly something heavy that will be a burden on your journey then speak up as we might be interested in another trade."

He paid particular attention to any AT weapons or rockets and any radios that the Russians were carrying.