Firestorm: Red Thunder

The country side of East Germany reminds Major Reilly of the country in England and Ireland, Rolling hills with a farm here and there and fields of crops after crops.

The Scout troops presently assigned to his Left “Squadron” Union Battle Group had departed an one before first light, His force had departed at first night, the remain battle groups force departed an hour after this.

Major Reilly was thinking about how “Union” battle group had been formed. Two days before the decision had been made to reform the Scots Grays and Irish Battle groups into one along with Bravo squadron of the Welch cavalry due to the fact that between then there was a little more than four companies or squadrons between them.

A Staff office had come up with “union” based on the Union Brigade at the battle of Waterloo. The Brigade had all three part of the United Kingdom. The English regiment (The Queens dragoons or Welch cavalry), one Scots Regiment (The Scots Grays) and one Irish (The Irish Guards). The fact that the Irish Guards weren’t even a regiment at this time, seemed to be forgotten!

The Union Battle Group would have three “Squadron” The Right and center are each built around an armour HQ, 2 two troops of Chieftains, one Platoon of infantry, one Anti-Tank platoon and one scout platoon. The left squadron is built around a Mechanized Infantry HQ, two infantry platoons, one Chieftain (Stillwell) troop, one scout troop with Scimitars, an anti-tank platoon with mobile Milan’s and a Mortar platoon of 4 tubes. The lead squadron would get an additional scout troop from the welsh cavalry, two half batteries of artillery, one of the abbots and the other of M109s, and a section of rapiers, who primary purpose was to protect the artillery.

Salute to follow
Serra (Size) Armour Battalion with BMP Company
Alpha (Activity) Advancing west in column with BMPS and AA first, tanks following
Lima (Location) ten Kilometers North of Tears five five
Uniform (what there are) East German regulars
Tango (Time) now 1015
Echo (Equipment) 7 to 10 T-72, same T-55 times two, same BRAVO MIKE PAPAs and 2 to 6 Zoo’s and Gophers

Major Reilly knew had nothing to worry about not having seen the chosen ground, Captain Shaw, the scout troop Command was the former 2IC of 1st Company Irish Guards.
When the 1st Company command structure was broken up He requested to be posted with a platoon that needed a leader, a day late the scout lieutenant was killed and the former 2IC become the Scout troop commander with a Welch cavalry vehicle and crew!
This was happening all across the Union Battle Group; Major Reilly’s own 9th Platoon “Irish Guards” had a former Welsh Cavalry Squadron Sergeant Major as it commander! Along with 10 Welsh cavalry troops from the Spartan support troop, four blowpipe operators with no ammo! There was no Blowpipe ammo as of three days ago. The 5th troop was made up of three from troops of right Center squadrons.
Major Reilly only true worry was when the rest of his squadron would arrive?
It could have been worse if the Chieftains had tried to cross the bridge that had been weekend by the local military forces! Thank god they had been stationed in Germany long enough to pick up a little of the language.
Talking to an East German was like talking English with welsh men or scots men at times. The gentlemen lead the chieftain troop command to a ford where he would cross he cattle. The Chieftains and other vehicle crossed with ease, it just delayed them by an hour.

Lima one Charlie was counting down for his two Milan team four three and on two multiple T-72 exploded!

Then he heard Bagpipes on his net! Then a voice said the immortal words “It’s a proper party now, the Scot’s have arrived!”
Over his right shoulder were three chieftains’ tanks! The Milan gunners quickly adjusted looking for moving target followed by two more explosions in quick succession. A lone T-72 went to the south and came upon the Irish Scouts in a corner field!

The 432 got the attention of the East German infantry who in turn fired at the 432! Two tracks were damage and the other made for cover will returning fire claim at least one squad of East Germans. Not sure who had done it but two of the Irish Scout tracks were destroyed by either Tank fire or RPG’s

The entire East German force of vehicle was burning and or exploding. The East German infantry was surrendering and requesting the first aid. 1st platoon sent 2 squads forward to help set up a casualty collection point.

Major Reilly was reporting back to Higher when an “Officer with no rank” walked in identifying himself as Raven. And that he needs to have this officer escort to the Corps Headquarters immediately via air. Major Reilly looked at him with the expression of “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE” when Sergeant Major told the Stanger “Understood SIR is there a message I need to have sent?” Yes Sergeant Major, send word “Frisky” confirm with “Vodka” Major Reilly looked at Sergeant Major for answers, none came.

Then over radio came from Division HQ confirm “Frisky”. Raven replied roger I confirm “Vodka” move to alternate. Raven switches the radio to a new channel.

Raven this is Iron Fist confirm time over. Iron Fist this is raven “Dinner planned for 1900 tonight over. Iron fist confirm 1900 Local over out

Moment late

Major Reilly found Sergeant Major alone under a tree drinking from a cup, what was in the cup he would never ask!

Sir, Raven been working with us now for about four week I guess now, I don’t know much about him but he saved me more than once or twice I’d guess? He left these for you; I told him you collected military stuff. He looked down at East German Marshall Rank and a beret pin, looking up at the Sergeant Major you’re joking! No he is!

With that Major Reilly got up and started to walk away, then the Sergeant Major said, Sir get some sleep me and the lads have this, He then saw a T-55 being pulled by a chieftain toward 9th platoon, Sir no worries I have it! Good night Sergeant Major wake me in four hours?