The price of a mile (Second story in the world war series)

Chapter 11 - Air raid

The soldiers have met up with the main armies that's at the shores of North Eastern Africa just off of the Italian coast. Down into the small port that is there by Cape Bon, Rommel is standing over his map that's laid out on the table with troop positions and map terrain. As Karl is there finishing off the reports he has been reading about the battle involving the town and the death count.

"It was a tactical victory, ja herr we may have pulled but, a victory nonetheless..." Karl says standing at eased lowering the clipboard holding the reports.

"I don't care about the main victory Karl, I'm worried about getting our troops safely to Sicily. The Kreigsmarine will be here im die morgen, a good half hour from now. Yet we got the entire verdammt forces of the British and Americans pushing us here with our backs to the wall." He says furiously writing out commands and transfer reports that are to be carried out and prepared.

"The area of Cape Bon must be held till the bitter end, says the Führer, all for the glory of the Vaterland! With this the bloody navies taking their time with getting here to help us out before the Commonwealth forces seal off the port with their own bloody ships. They plan on pulling the wounded out as well as most of the important equipment with bombs falling on us!"

Looking up at Karl angered, but with a sigh Rommel moves some paper and writes out something on paper that has a official look to it, then he holds it out to Karl.

"I got a job for you... It'll be a hard one to do yes but it must be done and it'll save you for what is about to come. As it'll be getting you out here on the first shipment of withdrawing troops, don't waste this chance I've given you Karl, get out of here so you can live." He says holding the transfer document out. Along with the list of all 80 men that died died under his command to defend the small village.

Reading over the names Karl recognizes most of them especially Lieutenant Webers name that has been placed on the K.I.A. list.

"Understood herr, but why choose me to break the news?" Karl asks slowly looking back up to his commanding officer that's in a near overdrive state of getting orders written out and sent.

"These young men have died by a no retreat order, the least I can do Karl is get their Commander that saw hell and stood his ground. A chance to see his family back home instead of dying here would be greatly welcomed, plus. Those men where your responsibility, the blame is not on you, god no. We'd go insane as men if that was true, you led those men and you're getting sent out first, so I do see it best that it's you that does it as well." Rommel says shaking his head with regret about the no retreat order he was forced to issue.

"Understood sir, I'll be heading home to break the news to the families then, danke herr..." Karl says folding the document papers up for his release. Then saluting and getting a return salute, Karl puts his officers hat on heading out to the docks that's buzzing with activity.

"The first transport ships along with the 3 escorts will be arriving shortly. First Company under Miller and the first 200 wounded will be boarding first!" A loud voice thunders with a loud clearing yell sending out the notice. Hearing their company called the first company under Miller makes their way over then sit back down as the 200 wounded are spread out along the area in the warm dawn light.

Soon enough the ships come into sight as they're arriving with the 3 escorts in tow, with the 2 transport ships slowly sailing up they stop and weigh anchor. Moving the gangplank out and onto the dock.

"First Company move out!" A newer voice thunders and 300 bodies begin to move, 100 from the company with 200 wounded critically and abled to walk make their way over by themselves or on stretcher that make their way up the gang plank in a orderly fashion.