Die
Eiserne Faust
Nummer
#37 17. SS “Götz von Berlichingen” Abteilung KriegNachrichten
Kameraden!
Once
again, the 17th Aufklärungs Abteilung (Götz von Berlichingen) was
depended upon to plug a gap in the lines caused by the menacing Allies. This
time it was on a southern portion of the West Front working with Legion Italia.
Members present at this event in Brodheadsville, PA on July 29, 2006 were:
Unterscharfuhrer Bill Person
Sturmann
Jim Helm
Rottenfuhrer Allen Brenneman Schutze
Doug Perdick
Also joining the Abteilung were two capable Soldaten, Schutze Rekrut
Chris Herr and Schutze Rekrut Wil Heffelfinger.
Because of the ever-present Luftgangsters, our unit made its way to the
battlefield over various routes with most arriving at daybreak. The 17th
then assembled with Kameraden in the 1st LAH unit commanded by Uscha.
Rich Moran. The morning was already steamy with it getting hotter as the sun
climbed into the sky. Other units present were the 9th WSS
Hohenstaufen, 10th WSS Frundsberg, 28th Gebirgsjager, and
a Fallschirmjager unit.
The terrain of this section of the front was a large open field with a
thick pine forest and woods surrounding it. This area had seen previous fighting
and had various old foxholes scattered about and rusted out vehicles decaying
among the trees. Because of the woods, the Allies wouldn’t be able to utilize
their vehicle advantage and the fighting would be close and fierce.
Uschas. Person and Moran made sure that all had extra water in addition
to their basic kit. Schutze Perdick’s G-43 had been given to the division’s
Waffenmeister for repairs so our firepower was lacking a bit. All Soldaten
readied themselves for a tense day.
Due to a typical communications foul up, the 17th and 1st
LAH were the last to move into the line. We took positions among the pines and
foxholes near a road junction with Legion Italia. Rttf. Allen Brenneman and
Schutze Perdick took forward positions as spotters while the rest of us covered
the LAH’s MG-34 crew.
The Yankee dogs soon came forward as usual with their vehicles leading
the way. One Jeep was quickly taken out by Uscha. Person’s rifle grenade
creating a bottleneck and forcing the Allies into the MG-34 fire. Our weapons
heated up with all the targets scurrying about.
After creating this initial havoc, small squads of Landsers started
pulling back into the pines to play a dangerous cat and mouse game with the Amis.
The Allies seemed confused and intimidated by the terrain so they stayed to the
trails and were picked off easily. Ami officers pushing their men suffered
horribly as they were knocked down by Mauser fire from Strm. Helm and Schutze
Rkt. Heffelfinger hiding in the brush. Our superior camo was utilized as Shutze
Rkt. Herr nailed 5 GIs without them ever discovering the source of fire.
The 17th and LAH held their flank so the Allies went around
us, over a macadam road and into another wooded area. We then pulled around to
bolster Axis defenses among the trees and rusted war machines. The battle seemed
confusing as it continued all around us while we held our positions. We Soldaten
then got the word that another unit had captured an Ami fieldpiece and brought
it back to our lines! The Americans were enraged that this occurred and
counter-attacked in an effort to get it back.
Rttf. Brenneman reloaded clip after clip into his Gewehr as Schutze
Perdick popped off shots from his “leafy” camo position. Uscha. Person and
Moran along with some Fallschirmjagers moved on the right flank to keep the
enemy herded in. It worked in our sector but the field gun was apparently
re-captured and hauled off.
The heat of the day started taking its toll so the 17th
quickly sat down to rest and broke out Essen from our Brotbreudel. We watched as
other Soldaten ate and cleaned weapons to keep them running. The sweat of combat
had soaked us all through.
It was then back to positions - facing the other way - as word came down
of yet another probe being made by the Yanks. Strm. Helm found a nice V-shaped
tree trunk, took aim and picked off the first foolish Ami that showed his face!
The battle was on again! Us Soldaten slowly gave ground as we moved back to a
road. Schutze Rkt. Herr briefly charged a group of Yanks, so surprising them
that they laid down a smoke screen to get away from him!
We reached the road in good order and made our way back to our original
assembly area. Another attack was then ordered to drive the Amis off of the
cleared filed. We felt this was a bad idea, but orders were orders. Two other
units took the front skirmish line while we supported the left rear flank. After
cresting a hill, there lay the Allies complete with artillery support! While the
rest charged vainly forward, our group laid down a smoke screen and tried to
flank. It was soon obvious that this wasn’t going to work and we pulled back,
confident that we gave the Yanks enough of a thrashing today.
Back at camp, we stacked Gewehrs, slipped out of our heavy equipment
loads, and quenched our thirst – all the while trading stories of today’s
action with Kameraden. Schutze Rkt. Heffelfinger was especially ecstatic!
Despite the heat and the odds, the 17th “GvB” once again
prevailed. Another job well done!
After-Action Report
·
Decent event at Brodheadsville for its first time. The
weather sure goes to extremes at this location! From the 30’s and rainy in
April to the 90’s in July. This did test one’s endurance.
·
Congrats to our two new recruits, Chris Herr and Wil
Heffelfinger on their first event with the “GvB”. We hope that both enjoyed
the event and meeting our Kameraden for the first time.
·
The Odessa paperwork was mailed out July 26 by
Priority Mail. A number of members are planning to head up Thursday, Sept 7.
People who are interested contact Uscha. Person. We hope to do some
reconnaissance training, courtesy of Uscha. Knauss.
·
Qualification Shoot? Picnic? Let me know if you want
to do these things before or after Odessa.
Götz Heil!