Firestorm: Stripes

After working his command to battle readiness against Soviet Forces in Poland, Major Ernst Thallmann, was eager to join in the liberation of Frankfurt-am-Main

His Consisted of tanks of the 22nd Panzer Regiment, named for hero of the Soviet Union Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, murdered by the nazis in the Great Patriotic War, supported by units of Motor-Schutzen Battalion number 12

The Battalion sized force had been tasked with exploiting a breakthrough made to the south of the city by units of the Soviet Army, Thalmann was aware however that forces of the puppet Imperialist German army had been identified by air reconnaissance as moving to cut off his advance

His planning was interrupted by Feldwebel Scholl, his radio operator, “contact Herr Major, Lieutenant Liebknecht report imperialist panzers and armoured cars in cover about 3000 metres to the front”, Liebknecht was commanding the BRDM vehicles attached to his taskforce for reconnaissance purposes

“Herr Major, the Leutnant reports that the enemy has not protected the Langen crossroads”.

Excellent thought Thalmann, if we seize the crossroads we can overlook the airport and exploit into the city from the south. “order Oberleutnant Luxemburg, to take his landsers and occupy and protect the crossroads, we’ll see if we can keep the puppets panzers occupied”.

Luxemburgs infantry and their BMP vehicles, supported by Liebknechts armoured cars and some wheeled anti-tank vehicles, quickly moved forward to seize the crossroads, whilst Thalman ordered the infantry from his BTR mounted company to penetrate the village Egelsbach, searching for the enemy tanks, whilst also ensuring his own panzers wouldn’t suffer from any unexpected ambushes

The West German response was muted, a unit of Lynx armoured cars moved into Egelsbach, clearly seeking confirmation of Thalmans axis of attack,, possibly hoping to slow the advance, sadly the presence of heavy enemy Leopard 2 tanks was confirmed when 2 BTR vehicles were obliterated as the nosed toward Egelsbach church

The loss of the personnel carriers was not enough to stall Thalmans plan, his infantry in Egelsbach continued to push into the village, nearing the village square, where there supporting BTR’s were able to dispatch the enemy armoured cars.whilst on the right flank, Luxemburgs infantry and vehicles took up positions on a pair of rocky rises that overlooked the crossroads. All was going to plan

Thalmann was however to get a bloody reminder that as the great Napoleon said no plan survives first contact with the enemy. A series of explosions and smoke pillers from the right flank caused Thalmann to snatch the radio from Scholl “Luxemburg, report, whats happening” he bellowed down the radio

“enemy Panzers Herr Major have attacked from the direction of Frankfurt, and we’ve located more Panzers that had been hidden, we lost all our BMP2s and one of our anti-tank vehicles is burning” reported Luxemburg

“Herr Major, 3 Leopard 1s, supported by anti-aircraft panzers came up the road from Frankfurt” added Liebknect, i’ve lost contact with ne of my cars, but they also reported an unit of panzers deploying from hides in ruined buildings”

“keep me updated” demanded Thalmann as he quickly re-assessed his plan, “we’ll have to go tank hunting in Egelsbach he decided”

Ordering his infantry to push toward the last known location of the enemy heavy tanks, and to occupy Egelsbach church, he ordered up a company of T55s and supporting BRDM anti-tank vehicles to support his attack, Luxemburg would have to look after himself

More explosions from the right added to Thalmanns worry, however his concern was quickly dispelled,

“Herr Major, 4 enemy panzers destroyed” was Luxemburgs excited report “our BMPS have shown they can shoot”

“Luxemburg,, get those BMPs off the skyline” yelled Liebknecht…..”verdammt, he’s too keen” Liebknechts voice tailed off as a volley of fire and explosions told it’s own tale

“push on all sectors” ordered Thalmann, he knew there couldn’t be much left between him and victory, and he didn’t want to lose too many more vehicles.

His second tank company came forward and began to push into the outskirts of Egelsbach, the West German commander trying to escape the concentrated fire of Luxemburgs RPG gunners made the fatal mistake of retreating back to Egelsbach where they were seen and destroyed by Thalmanns own missile men

“we got the last Gephard” reported Liebknecht “scheisse, where did they come from”…..Liebknechts transition was interrupted by explosions and then by the steady thump of his BRDMs heavy machine gun

“Liebknecht report” Thalmann demanded

“two enemy armoured cars snuck up on our anti-tank comrades and bagged them both Herr Major, but they’re dead now”

just as Thalmann finished speaking to Liebknech three T55s on the village outskirts erupted in flame…..damn damn damn thought Thalmann, his Soviet colleague had told him his officers were too keen during their training exercise, and now the West German Leopards were proving it, he needed a way of getting through those Leopards tough hides….quickly

“Herr Major, enemy panzers disengaging, we have a clear run to the airport” Luxemburgs excited voice came over the radio net

“Fantastisch” exclaimed Thallmann “Liebknecht send your cars down the road, report anything that will block our advance, Luxemburg, we’re on our way, your infantry will have to ride our tanks, but lets make the imperialists pay for our comrades…..Vorwaerts”