THE DEFENCE OF BOWLER BRIDGE. PROLOGUE. GENERAL IDEA. SPECIAL IDEA. FIRST DREAM. PHASE I

THE DEFENCE OF BOWLER BRIDGE

PROLOGUE

GENERAL IDEA

RURITANIA, one of the many new nations which came into existence after the Great War, has been attacked by its more powerful neighbourIndustria. Great Britain, in fulfilment of its obligation undertaken in, has sent an Expeditionary Force to assist Ruritania. Industria is known to possess tanks and armoured cars.

SPECIAL IDEA

The 1st Battalion Wessex Regiment forms part of a British Covering Force consisting of one Division with some armoured cars, which disembarked at Lobsterburg on August 1, 1930.

FIRST DREAM

PHASE I

LIEUTENANT AUGUSTUS SYDNEY SMITH--commanding No. 4 Platoon, Ist Battalion Wessex Regiment--was tired and hungry. The hired transport Prince Rufus arrived during the early hours at Lobsterburg, and, what with unloading the ship and other duties incidental to disembarkation at a third-rate seaport, there had been little rest and less food until the battalion was settled in billets late in the evening.

Having seen his men comfortably bedded down for the night, Smith with other subalterns repaired to an adjacent cafe, where they proceeded to fortify the inner man with large quantities of lobster mayonnaise and white wine for which the town was famous.

By 10 p.m. Lieutenant Smith had returned to his billet, and was shortly in a heavy and somewhat troubled sleep.

A sharp knock at the door woke him with a start, and in came his excellent soldier servant Pte Pinchin." Adjutant wants you at once, sir."

Smith, with an effort, woke sufficiently to take in what was being said to him, hastily put on his clothes and made his way to the grocer's store which was being used as the battalion orderly room. There he found the C.O. and the Adjutant, also the Major and two other subalterns of his company.

The Colonel gave them each a map and came straight to the point.

"As you know, the main Ruritanian and Industrian Armies are engaged to the north along the Frontier. The main body of the British Expeditionary Force will not commence to arrive until the day after to-morrow. The Divisional Commander has heard from the Ruritanian staff that an IndustrianArmoured Force is believed to be making a wide turning movement with a view to advancing on Lobsterburg from the west or north-west and interfering with the disembarkation of the main body of the B.E.F.

"If you will look at your maps, you will see the Raspberry River about 20 miles to the west of this place. You will notice that there are only three bridges below Koln; those at Bowler, Homburg and Topper. Koln is held by the Ruritanian troops. [See sketch-map No. 1.]

"The G.O.C. has decided to move a brigade to delay the enemy on the river line and, if possible, to prevent his crossing.

"I have been ordered to send on a platoon in 'buses to Bowler, Homburg and Topper to try and forestall the enemy's armoured cars there, to secure the bridges and to prevent the enemy crossing. On no account are the bridges to be destroyed, as they will probably be required by the C.-in-C. at a later date.

"The country has been almost stripped of mechanical transport for the Ruritanian Army, but the Mayor of the town has been ordered to supply six 'buses in an hour's time; he is also finding reliable guides. The brigade will have to march, and cannot arrive for at least 24 hours. Each platoon will have one anti-tank gun with it. Take two days' rations with you and be ready to start as soon as possible.

"Smith will go to Bowler, Roberts and Gordon to Homburg and Topper respectively.

"You will draw rations, tools, sandbags, &c., from the Quartermaster's store, which is in the shed on the other side of the road.

"The Brigadier has given me three motor-cyclist despatch riders; you will each have one. Arrangements have been made for you to use the civil telephones, so keep me supplied with information.

"Now are there any questions you want to ask? None! Well, good luck to you; don't forget that you must get to your bridges as quickly as possible. It is now 2 o'clock; you should be off by 3 and should arrive about daylight to-morrow."

The three subalterns were just leaving the room when they were seized by the Adjutant:

"I say! Don’t forget to leave an orderly at the telephone so that we can get you any time we want to."

Then followed an hour's hustle, but by o3.oo hrs. our friend had mustered his platoon in the two 'buses and had loaded up the necessary tools, sandbags, ammunition and rations. He had also collected his anti-tank gun, which was mounted on a small whole-track vehicle. It was a neat little affair: the @8 gun could be used either from the vehicle or it could be dismounted and used on the ground.

As the vehicle was small, and had to carry a crew of five in addition to 50 rounds of ammunition, there was not much armour attached to it, the only protection being to the vital parts of the engine and a small shield which gave partial protection to the crew from frontal small-arms fire.

The guide turned out to be a pleasant individual who had served his time in the Ruritanian Regular Army, but was now in the Territorial Reserve. He possessed the additional advantage of being able to speak fairly good English, having been employed for several years by a firm of English merchants at Lobsterburg. He was a native of Bowler.

Smith thought that the best plan would be for him to sit in the leading 'bus with the guide beside him. Accordingly he set off, followed by the anti-tank gun and then the second 'bus in charge of the platoon sergeant.

He had hardly gone fifty yards when he heard loud shouting; ordering the 'bus to stop, he jumped out and found his Company Commander running after him:

"Hi! you silly ass, what the ------- do you think you are doing ? Do you want to be shot up by the first armoured car you meet?"

Smith was somewhat peeved. "Well, sir, I can't stop the beastly things shooting me up."

"Can't you, you fathead! What about putting your anti-tank vehicle in front, then you may shoot up the armoured car. For God's sake pull yourself together, man, and remember that you are at war; this is not a blinking picnic."

Very crestfallen, Smith could only murmur, "I am sorry, sir; I should have thought of putting the anti-tank gun in front." The soft answer which turneth away wrath!

"All right, 'Chubby'; but do use your common sense."

Having discovered from the corporal in charge that two men were sufficient to work the gun from the antitank vehicle, Smith removed two of the crew to the leading 'bus, he and the guide taking their place.

They arrived at their destination without incident just as it was getting light.

⇐ Предыдущая 1 234 5 6 7 Следующая ⇒