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

Chapter 21- There's no rest for the wicked

British commandos with a Paratrooper company are being mobilized first to begin the assault on the town as the front vanguard, followed by the main infantry body. The plan is to meet the Germans on the 5 mile wide front that is the town and border line of said town. There, they'll begin the push in from there through the middle as the American army the 'Big Red One' will be pushing to the West.

All the while the last of the reserves are being added to Karls defensive line for Centuripe as they've taken 9 hours by train to arrive. Kristin and the veteran reserves from Africa that where deemed healthy enough to fight have arrived in time too.

Luckily 60 out of the 190 brought to Italy were combat ready again whilst the rest of the transports where taken further up where Italy borders France. Now, with the 60 reserves they where mobilized quickly down to Sicily where they are now.

Smashing a 2nd story window out with the spade of his entrenching tool, Kristin and his team of 6 quickly secure the up stairs portion of the house. There they set the heavy MG 42 down deploying the bipod and aiming it out the window covering the streets below.

With a nice over look of the towns streets below, they can rain fire from their position that can stop a advancement easily.

Mean while out in the outskirts of Centuripe, Ss patrols have been established with shallow fox holes dug leading back to the town so if they must. They can quickly rush over and duck into their holes to return fire.

Looking through a pair of field glasses, squads of the assault teams are set up and about as the British Commando NCO can observe. Then there's a screech as a bullet whips by which causes alarm and the British Commandos duck down to take cover under the hair of fire. With tree lines opening up with bright rapid flashes and the patrol squads kneeling down to open fire, they're stuck in a cross fire. As the battle for Centuripe has begun.

"Return fire, Gerry spotted us!" the NCO yells before he begins to return fire using a log he had ducked behind. The SS patrol squads have found decent cover now and they're applying more firepower that's being shot down range then what the Commandos can spit back.

***British Field Command***

"Engagements with the enemy have began sir, there's light skirmishing on the flanks but the middle where we sent our Paratroopers with the SAS squad has gone silent. Anyways sir, fighting has began to pick up the intensity and we're now on standby for your orders sir." The Lt. Col. Says reading off a fresh report that was immediately radioed in apon the first few shots.

Turning to the map on the table, the Brigadier General silently thinks then after a minute or two of collecting his thoughts, he looks up to speak.

"Begin the attack as planned Leftenant Colonel, I want Centruipe by morning. That understood?" The Brig Gen asks leaning over his map of Centuripe with his troop positions on it.

Saluting the Lt says "Yes sir, will do." Then going to at eased, he about faces and walks on out of the tent to head to the communications tents. Once in comms, the Lt Col begins moving the troop positions forward on the map for the first offensive push and the radio operators quickly relay orders.

Apong hearing orders come right in, the main army is mobilized within five minutes and once set the Major orders the advance. Joining the advance at a jogging pace with the rest of the infantry Phillip, Ben an the rest of their regiment move forward with Church hills amongst them for support. Back in Centuripe a Captain rushes up the stairs and shouts into the room over the loud fire fight taking place outside the town.

"Oberfeldwebel take your squad up further, I want that square covered!" The Hauptmann yells getting everyone in the room to quickly jump to action with picking up their gear and moving out as ordered. Heading on out they move along quickly down the street as ordered to set up and cover the 3 streets that lead into the squad.

Where as back out in the outskirts, panic has quickly arisen within the British Paratrooper ranks as suspicion of who they're fighting has been confirmed. As the 8 man SAS squad was wiped out as well.

"Waffen SS don't engage in close quarters keep your distance!!" shouts a officer before he's mowed down by a mp40 and his bloody corpse drops back his chest pumped with led.

The very front of the British advance is crumbling with the heavy opposition the Totenkopf are applying and fearful about close quarters, the British Paratroopers hold their ground refusing to back down. However it's in vain as Germanys elite, merciless killers have destroyed the first wave advancement.

"Forward soldats, search for wounded and put them out of their misery!" a officer commands pushing the dastardly buggers forward.

Out in the field sadly there are several wounded and one, being a Sergeant is lying next to a radio operator and his radio. So the man painfully crawls over and begins radioing in the report.

"Send reinforcements... Current status Bravo company destroyed.. Sergeant Wilbert reporting.... Airborne company Bravo destroyed.... Repeat... Des-"

Suddenly there's a extreme heat as a flammenwerfer sent ahead has spotted him with the kill squads has heard him.

"BRENNEN ficke brennen!!!" The SS pioneer yells laughing and watching the now burning Sergeant Wilbert who screams in pain as he flops about in the dirt trying to put it out.

Laughing at the futile attempts to put the fire out, the cold veteran of the Eastern front moves on hosing more wounded with his flamethrower. Sending any wounded paratrooper he finds to a painful and gory end of fire and flames.

After 5 minutes of search and clearing, they're called back to the SS-Hauptsturmführer who's yelling and sending out furious cusses to those who don't come back fast enough. Back in position now as they can see the bigger wave coming with the Paratroopers leading the way. Along with the standardized following up in the back.

Quickly the Church hills come within range and a tank shell screeches over head exploding into a fixed position sending limbs and the 3 soldiers flying.

"Feuer die Panzerfaust! Send them burning to hell!" The SS-Hauptsturmführer yells over the gun fire his blue eyes reflecting the flashes of muzzle fire. Quickly on command a assault squad comes up and the soldier kneels down aiming then he fires. Dropping the panzerfaust quickly the one shot weapon falls down and he gives a laughing cheer watching his shot hit home.

The screams of the tank crew can be heard as bodies lit afire quickly climb out of the hatches with cries of pain and they jump to the ground to roll about in hops of putting it out.

"Don't shoot them, let them burn!" a NCO shouts ducking down then hosing a few infantrymen with his Mp40.

"Shoot the bloody wankers! DON'T give them any foot holds!" The Major of Bens and Phillips Company yells as he fires his Bren towards their position.

From cover Ben and Phillip watch amazed at the guts the SS have as they've stormed a tank and the squad has opened the hatches up to spray their submachine guns into the hatches before popping grenades in.

As the tank crew was over confident and they paid for their lives, and now a whistle is being blown signaling the all out advance. Nerviously standing up Ben, Phillip and the regement say their prayers quickly before the Church hills advance faster and they run along and beside the tank. Using their numbers to their advantage to rush the SS.

***

Holy moly, #197 (last I checked) in Historical Fiction... I've never gotten that high on the scale ratio before...

I'm surprised and amazed at the same time, as last night I was watching my reads nearly reach 50 (biggest reading span I've gotten yet) and I'm extremely thankful to those who've followed me and my story here so far means a lot:)

With a shout out to any silent readers out there, you guys may be silent but reading the chapters here is enough to show the support, love you guys:)

SS-Hauptsturmführer - SS Captain

Brennen ficke brennen - Google translate this one,

I've wanted to shorten this chapter a little to save up for the bigger fight coming up on Friday, it helps build suspense shortening chapters like this too, thank you for all the reads, votes or any comments you guy's been giving me. Means a lot to hear feedback:)