Adrenaline pumping through his system Pat veered towards the right heading towards the fallen sentries position.  He was firing at the small group of three Soviets now more to keep there heads down than any real hope of hitting.

20:24, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 99 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.
20:23, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 31 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.
20:23, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 89 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.

OOC: today is Thursday and we haven't moved forward. Sorry, it seems RL has held Torv up. Starting from Patric's post we will continue on and just bring Torv back in when he gets back to us. Hopefully that will be soon. Andrew thanks for your patience pal.

Under the shaky light of the flare Patric did his level best to put down the advancing Polish infantry near the trees, but the conditions were too much. The wind was whipping the flare away, sending it further northwest than was useful. The Poles were seasoned troops with enough sense to scatter into the scrub brush along the ground. And he had simply done too much; fear, exertion, and adrenaline made it difficult to react smoothly.

He wasn't surprised when his 9mm bullets chased the Poles to ground, and little more.

Further inland a burst of fire erupted from the shadows towards Roger and Patric. Tracers passed just above the corner of the flatbed from a 5.45mm assault rifle.

A burst of 5.45mm bullets struck Roger in the side of his vest under his left arm. Magazines, a canteen, and several 40mm grenades were demolished. The side panel of his heavy Kevlar vest was shredded a bit and gave way to a single bullet.

Pain like being stuck with a big needle into a broken rib flared through Roger's side. But, it wasn't a lung deep pain. He dropped to one knee, more out of a need for cover than the pain. The fear of being shot again paid off as tracers passed high, missing him.

A last burst of 5.45mm rounds, fired too far ahead of their target in a rush, blew by Patric nearly a meter from his face. But, he had whipped his head around the moment the rifle fired and saw the rounds strike Roger.

Both men's ears buzzed with the hollow ring common to being close the hypersonic passage of bullets and gunfire. It was a sure sign of being at the sharp of the spear.

Pivoting to locate the new threat, Andrew was shocked to see headlights suddenly a pear then wink out a good distance, perhaps 200 meters or so, back along the access road to the house turned museum. 'Damn' crossed his thoughts; it was too dark to get a real sense of the range, he couldn't hear the engine or tire noise, and he couldn't really make out the vehicle.

OOC: just remember that NVGs are great observation but not for gunsights, that is what lasers are for (so you can see where you're actually aiming), night sights are great for shooting at stuff but not terribly awesome at observation (the field view is too narrow).

With a slight wrist movement Andrew drew a bead on the man firing on the team as they approached the pick up. In quick succession he fired four short bursts towards the new target as he appeared out of cover.

When the truck appeared in his sight line he keyed his radio "All call-signs, vehicle on the west road, possibly additional enforcements. Angus out."

He hoped he was wrong and the truck was not disgorging another squad for them to deal with, if so they probably needed to bug out.

Andrew Johnson rolled 93 using 1d100.  Fourth Burst.
Andrew Johnson rolled 32 using 1d100.  Third burst.
Andrew Johnson rolled 12 using 1d100.  Second Burst.
Andrew Johnson rolled 90 using 1d100.  First burst.

Behind Sea Wall
Sergeant Johnson
Scout team, behind sea wall
HK21E (82/100 belt box)
Firing four bursts on new target, radioing through vehicle sighting.

Dose the first burst count as aimed, not that it will make much difference ?


-
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Fri 15 Nov 2019.

Castle hustled up to the truck and knelt next to the front wheel.

He took a moment to gauge how badly he was wounded and switch weapons stowing the PDW for the M16A2/M203 combo.


OOC: Can't find in the book how long it takes to swap weapons so I'm taking the round off to do it while trying to put the engine between me and any more flying lead.

OOC: Mule straps. In the era before fancy combat slings, and even to the present day, the use of 550 cord to make short strap tied to the sling base on the stock and a carabiner on other allowed a rifle to be suspended from the lbe in such a way that it was out the way when desired, easy to reach when needed, and non-binding when aiming.

Roger knelt alongside the truck tire. Stowing the P90 so he could bring his M16 forward didn't take mind off of the blood chilling in the cool air under his armor. Noticing the sticky sensation made him aware of the moaning Pole on the other side of the truck. Glancing up in the general direction of the Pole that shot him, Roger spotted the thin beam of the PAC4 on Andrew's HK21 as it lanced through deepening shadows searching for the Pole.

Andrew tracked the beam through the HKs night vision sight letting the beam drift onto the shadowy figure between two magnolia trees. It was a good position, keeping the truck between himself and the two assaulting men.

He fired reflexively. By the time the body had fallen the HK was back in firing position from the recoil. Waves of heat from the suppressor were beginning to cause blooming in the night sight. The short forced powder combustion into the can and quickly filled it with high pressure gas. Andrew sighed, he would have To change barrels soon in order keep suppression or simply go loud.

"Grenatten! Grenatten!" Was shouted from the trees behind the truck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Fri 15 Nov 2019.

"Dobry pomysł...", [Polish: Good idea.] Mumbled Castle just before he lobbed a frag grenade over the truck and into the trees directly at the voices he heard shouting.


22:51, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 62 using 1d100.  Thrown weapon. Success!

With two of his team members now interspersed in front and possible beside the target pick up truck, Andrew focused down the road towards were he had seen a vehicle earlier. He was looking for movement, light or whatever may draw his eye to indicate people were approaching their position and possibly how many.

Andrew Johnson rolled 70 using 1d100.  RECON - Spot enemy.



-

There was slight pop, if a soldier where accustomed to hearing, before the explosion. The tiny pop of an igniter charge that compressed and ignited the powder filler of a fragmentation grenade. Roger Castle heard, without realizing he had listened for it.

He heard it a moment before the shock wave of the percussive blast blew leaves and debris from under the truck. This was immediately followed by the shower of glass from the side window and the windshield blowing out, rattle-sprang of fragments riddling the side of the truck, and the stench of diesel fuel from the ruptured fuel tank. Men shouted in Polish, angry Polish. It was harsh, guttural, and carried many, many words best not said in front of one's mother or pastor.

Roger was able to be grateful for one thing; the truck wasn't full of gasoline or alcohol.

Patric slid up Roger just as the explosion smacked into the dark morning. It would have taken him aback a bit, but after the last thirty seconds it was just par for the course. He noticed the blood under Roger's left armpit, the hole in the armor, and figured it must be serious now since the man had switched to an assault rifle.

Andrew was scanning the trees along the access road as best he could. Breath in, hold, breath out; keep the sight steady and slowly tracking looking for subtle motions. It was the visual queues that were overlooked that gave away concealed movement; a shaking sapling, a bush bending the wrong way in the breeze, small animals fleeing from obvious cover.

But, not an exploding grenade. Quickly panning his night sight around, Andrew found Roger and Patric huddled at the side of the truck near the front tire. The truck itself was pretty mashed, but it was the dark silhouettes of at least a dozen men that drew his attention.

The the darkness was suddenly lit up as the men simultaneously opened fire into the truck. Tracers ricocheted from beneath the truck after striking the ground at a shallow angle. Other tracers past through the truck. There was the unmistakable sound of metal pinging as high velocity bullets past through the body of the truck. Oil and coolant began to pour into the grass, the remaining tires popped.

A few stray tracers even careened past Andrew like angry hornets.

It was not unexpected for the enemy to try this, they had the numbers and it was Soviet doctrine after all. Andrew lined up the front runner and with his stock tight into his shoulder he fired. He dug his boot into the soft mud that was behind the sea wall, finding purchase on rock which he assumed was probably the walls foundation.
Left to right he swept once the enemy solders dropped either hit or to find cover. Andrew wondered if these are the re-enforcements or still the local squad, not that it makes much difference at the moment.

Behind Sea Wall
Sergeant Johnson
Scout team, behind sea wall
HK21E (82/100 belt box)
Firing four bursts on runners.


Andrew Johnson rolled 99 using 1d100.  Burst 4.
Andrew Johnson rolled 83 using 1d100.  Burst 3.
Andrew Johnson rolled 30 using 1d100.  Burst 2.
Andrew Johnson rolled 33 using 1d100.  Burst 1.


-

"Keep can you move, we got to get out of here." Pat looked under the truck then across to the sea wall leaping over the side may be their best bet to get into cover he took a grenade out and prepared to through it towards the enemy

Lt Walsh
Assault team
MP5SD
Hiding and getting ready to throw.

Andrew walked rounds into two Poles that subsequently dropped from sight. The rest of the Poles in that vicinity scattered to cover. But they kept firing. Another flare went up from back in the trees, only this one was shot into the winds the southeast and threatened to illuminate the battleground longer than the previous flare.

The flare was followed by rapid orders in Polish. The hairs on the back of Roger's neck stood up as the several of Polish soldiers shifted their fire and began hammering bursts of 5.45mm bullets into the seawall and trees near Andrew. That he had finally been spotted was a given. Luckily, their haste was working for Andrew.

OOC:Going to make a few die rolls for the bad guys and one for Torv. Hate to leave him out completely.

OCC: rolled for Torv, he hit. Even shot a Pole in the noggin. Then rolled for four shots, a grenade toss, and a recon check. He are the results so no one is going how that happen; Dr. Strangelove rolled 193 using 6d100 ((28,30,26,24,74,11)). Four shots 28, 30, 26, 24 base of 30; grenade toss base of 24, and recon base of 25.

Torv exhaled and let the trigger find the squeeze it liked. It liked it so well in fact that the shot took a Polish grunt in the temple just under the brim of his helmet. He cycled the bolt without thought or hesitation.

Andrew hunkered down close the seawall trying to create as low a silhouette as possible. The hypersonic passage of 5.45mm bullets was loud, ringing his ears, until suddenly there was a stinging impact in his chest. About the instant he realized he had been shot there was a flare fiery pain in left forearm and an immediate impact in his chest again as a bullet passed through his forearm.

Reacting prudently, Andrew simply dropped to his knees and ducked out of sight of the seawall. The wound to his chest was a minor one; the very tip of the bullet had made it through a magazine and his armor to poke him. But, the hole through his forearm would require some attention. Aside from the pain and the bleeding, there was also the reaction of the traumatized muscles. It would definitely put a hurt on his golf game (-10 to rolls when using that hand).

A burst of rifle fire sent 5.45mm rounds ripping over the hood of the truck to strike Patric in the top of the head. His helmet took the brunt of the attack, actually splintering and flying to pieces. A sharp pain and a sensation of a dull thud sent him to his knees. Blood immediately soaked his scalp, but he kept control of the grenade he was prepared to toss. An ache drew his attention and his lifted hand met with the stubby remains of his left ear.

Patric looked up to see Roger staring at him, a questioning look on his face as if to say 'damn, dude, that was impressive, but are you fucking alright?'.

The Polish soldier in charge shouted several commands. An 'oh damn' chilled ran through Roger's thoughts. A moment later a shot rang out. But, it wasn't a 5.45mm. It the deeper crack of a 7.62 x 54mm round. Several in fact. And they were headed towards Torv.

Patric followed Roger's face as the other man looked from the voice in the woods towards Torv. High powered shots rang out and he cringed thinking of the sniper in lonely position. Then, something caught his eye. It looked as though someone had chugged a softball out of the shadows.

"Granat!" A Pole shouted.

Patric watched the grenade arc overhead as Roger's head shot around at the shout. It was a poor throw using way too much power. The grenade sailed  nearly twenty yards before it detonated about four feet off the ground. It was a deep, brassy booming sound that rattled the trees and sent debris swirling on the winds. But, it was too far away from the trio to inflict casualties.

"I'll be fine but your fuckin' ear is KIA. These guys are starting to piss me off.", quipped Castle before returning fire under the front of the truck.

He hunted for muzzle flash and was satisfied to see a couple of gun barrels flailing after positive hits.

17:54, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 82 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2.

17:54, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 39 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2. Hit!

17:54, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 73 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2.

17:54, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 36 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2. Hit!

Ammo remaining 6/10

His back against the sea wall Andrew made a quick assessment of his wounds and deemed himself still in the fight, for now. He huddled behind the machine gun and once he had a target he again fired off a series of bursts towards the running Poles.


Andrew Johnson rolled 91 using 1d100.  Burst 4.
Andrew Johnson rolled 89 using 1d100.  Burst 3.
Andrew Johnson rolled 98 using 1d100.  Burst 2.
Andrew Johnson rolled 36 using 1d100.  Burst 1.

Rolls like that aren't going to do it.

Behind Sea Wall
Sergeant Johnson
Scout team, behind sea wall
HK21E (70/100 belt box)
Firing four bursts on runners.


-

Pulling the pin Pat tossed the grenade in his hand towards the closest group of Poles, "Grenade! Back at ya." he called out as he threw


11:48, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 17 using 1d100.  Thrown Weapon. Success

Bullets shattered saplings, ripped gouges out of the ground, and tore into Polish infantry. Their combine efforts sending three men howling to the ground, Andrew and Roger effectively suppressed the area immediately behind the front of the truck. Men took to the ground to avoid the hail of bullets, many trying to help their wounded comrades.

Then, Patric's hand grenade landed amid the tumult. The hollow boom of the explosion was a visceral experience for Roger and Patric as the shock wave reverberated in their lungs. More screams followed the blast. And more shouted commands.

A Pole could be heard talking loudly into a radio handset not far from the truck. He was talking over the gunfire and explosions, giving explicit instructions, and unintentionally telling everything to Roger Castle as well....

...."Yes, and platoon sergeant Yachenov be sure to get the anti-air missiles away from this area." The man was saying. "Keep the operators and the loaders there with you and two other men, then send the balance of the platoon back this way..."

The blast from several AKMRs drown out the conversation.

"And have Danechek take his squad around the parking area to the south." The man was obviously a platoon level officer. "But don't let the men bunch up. These Americans are known to use their artillery very close to their formations."

Andrew kept the pressure up on the Poles, looking for muzzle flashes or anything else that would give their position away. He fired another four bursts either down the side of the truck of at anything that gives away a position.

Andrew Johnson rolled 2 using 1d100.  Burst 4.
Andrew Johnson rolled 91 using 1d100.  Burst 3.
Andrew Johnson rolled 84 using 1d100.  Burst 2.
Andrew Johnson rolled 7 using 1d100.  Burst 1.

OCC: Can Andrew use one of those outstanding success to take out the guy on the radio ?

Behind Sea Wall
Sergeant Johnson
Scout team, behind sea wall
HK21E (70/100 belt box)
Firing four bursts on poles.

Andrew cut loose sending a burst through two men at once, one of which he knew was dead. Clipped another pair of bursts through the trees forcing men to bob and weave as they moved. And, sent his last burst into a man carrying ammunition, presumably for the DShK gun, that detonated in the can. The bursting ammo can wounded the carrier as well as several others nearby.

All fire from the Poles came to grinding halt. Orders where barked by NCOs, but the men were to focused on keeping out of the line of fire and helping their comrades.

Castle ripped off several bursts at the momentarily cowed poles.

19:11, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 85 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2.

19:11, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 3 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2. Hit!

19:10, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 97 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2.

19:10, Today: Roger A Castle rolled 96 using 1d100.  To hit w/ M16a2.

Ammo remaining 2/10

Between shots he growls to Patrick through gritted teeth, "We gotta fall back and get Big Arty involved. Their callin' in the better part of a platoon and moving the damn launchers."

"When I find out who decided the four of us could take this place away from this many troops and hold it afterward I may shoot 'em in the fucking face."

"...Razimov, move your squad to the seawall," the Pole leader said just before, "Ah! My leg."

Roger's bursts went scattering across the ground, but a ricochet struck the man mid sentence. He knew it was only a marginal hit, the bullet being robbed of much of its kinetic energy.

"Calling in the pre-arranged plot." Torv said over the unit comms and suddenly vanished as he reached for the SINCGARS radio.

The preplotted barrage called for a star shell, three smoke, then seventeen high explosive rounds from the destroyer's 5 inch gun. If the gun crew ran to time it would three minutes before the star shell passed overhead. Another twenty seconds for the smoke to fall. And a further minute before the HE fell. But, the preplotted fire mission was based on the location of the house, not the truck. And danger close from a mile offshore was 250 meters.

The Poles were still focused on retrieving their wounded. Only one man fired; the silence made the gunfire easily identifiable as a Dragonov being fired towards Torv's position. Two men suddenly appeared alongside the rear of the truck and grabbed hold of the anti-aircraft mount and began dragging the HMG off the truck.

As the two poles clambered up the side of the truck Andrew fired again to bring them down. He knew the heavy machine gun was a prise they would not give up, including the ammunition and from personnel experience he knew how effective it can be for both on the ground and against helicopters.

Andrew then hunkered behind the sea wall as he removed the suppressor and placed it in his belt pouch.


Andrew Johnson rolled 98 using 1d100.  Burst 4.
Andrew Johnson rolled 63 using 1d100.  Burst 3.
Andrew Johnson rolled 78 using 1d100.  Burst 2.
Andrew Johnson rolled 13 using 1d100.  Burst 1.

Behind Sea Wall
Sergeant Johnson
Scout team, behind sea wall
HK21E (66/100 belt box)
Firing four bursts on poles.


-

His head ringing Pat ducked back down behind the engine block. He shook his head and immediately regretted the action.  "Oh Fuck." he muttered "If we make it out of here I won't stop you Keep." He popped up and fired back towards the Polish troops before ducking back down.


15:00, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 65 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.
15:00, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 71 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.
15:00, Today: Patrick Walsh rolled 17 using 1d100.  HK MP5SD.


Lt Walsh
Assault team
MP5SD - 6/10 shots
Hiding and getting ready to throw.

Andrew cut loose. It was loud, obnoxiously so after becoming accustomed to the cough-crack of the sound suppressors lessened report.

Bullets struck the tire, frame, bed, and exhaust pipe of the truck. Further demolishing the already damaged vehicle. The two men sliding the DShK gun towards them recoiled in response, yanking the heavy weapon and its mount off the truck's bed to crash to the ground.

Andrew was reasonably sure he struck one of the men, but wasn't sure of the shot placement. His forearm throbbed, reminding him of the capability of the enemy and causing him to hunker down close enough to just peer over the top of the seawall.

It all seemed to be quieting down until Patric fired as string of bursts from his suppressed MP5. From nearly forty yards away Andrew couldn't hear the weapon firing, but he did hear a scream. Unsure if it was due to a hit or not, he chose believe Patric had struck another Pole too. It simply made him feel better.

"He's dead, pull back twenty yards." A Pole called out with the air of authority common to career NCOs. "Blavorich move back. You're the only medic and the lieutenant is dead. That bullet severed his femoral artery."

The sound of men grunting under a heavy load was a sound all soldiers became all too familiar with in war. So, too, were the groans and screams of wounded men being drug away from the fighting. Roger sighed, a moment of relief. But, the soon to be incoming barrage would likely miss many of the enemy and possibly destroy the only solid structure in the area.

'Well, damn.' Roger thought to himself.

Castle had emptied his rifle without effect. (The dice roller is whipping our asses)

"C'mon Lieutenant let's fall back to the wall."

He clawed out a magazine and reloaded on the way back to the wall being sure to angle out of Andrew's line of fire.