Firestorm: Red Thunder

field report Cpt. McGee
Charlie Co. 16 infantry Regiment

It was a disaster no two ways about it. We received reports of a forward detachment of soviet tanks heading towards Frankfort intended to seize it and cut off supplies to the defenders. As we had just began to displace to new positions we were out of position for a favorable defense as the battle opened.

It was only by luck that a battery of m109 and out ITV were still in an over watch position at all. Upon receiving the flash warning of the soviet attack i immediately ordered first and second platoon along with our supporting tanks to turn about and race back towards town. There was risk as the battalion scouts were off who knows where we would be going in blind to say the least it was all a cluster -----.
First contact was made as soon as the infantry platoons made it into town. the first t-64 were already at the edge of town and aiming for the supply dump. Bannon's tanks immediately began to engage multiple tank units trying to buy the infantry time to shake out a defensive perimeter. His efforts destroyed the lead tank raising morale and stopped the reds advance deeper into town. the ITV's began to engage but only stunned one of the big brutes. Our arty tried hitting their reserve line with copperheads but no joy there either.

Return fire was intense heavy guns began dropping some new type of guided munitions on our artillery support destroying one out right while tank fire began to whittle down Bannon's boys with one tank a complete right off with no survivors. Concentrated missile fire from BMP caused a mission kill on the ITV platoon and they pulled out of action to preserve their tracks.

I and both mech platoon dug into the town center and prepared for a house to house fight, if they want this neighborhood they were going to have to pay for it. The tanks continued to dance with the soviets burning another of their number down stalling the advance further. Alas it was not long before Bannon's luck ran out and his platoon was nearly surrounded and fire poured in like a blizzard. rapidly two more tanks went down, Bannon picked up the crews as the bailed out of their stricken tanks. I ordered him to evacuate his tank and the survivors to the rally point set up by the ITVs south of the town.

Effectively with the last of my tanks pulling out the battle was at a stand still. My men still held most of the town and were wiling to make the soviets pay dearly for it. But it seemed that the Russian commander was content with the toe hold he had and would not commit his tanks in the narrow streets with out infantry support.

I do wish to commend Lt. Bannon's exemplary courage and that of his men. Most tankers assigned to infantry teams take it like being sent to Siberia and only go through the motions until they get sent back to their parent unit. Not so here, Bannon and his men went straight into the teeth of the Russian advance and grabbed them by the nose to buy the infantry time to get set up saving a great many lives that day. His actions and those of his men were in the highest traditions of the service reflecting both self sacrifice and duty to ones comrades. As such I am recommending him for the distinguished service cross.