A Tiger in Time

Chapter 1: Ostheer

Dec 12, 1941, my crew and I were set to watch a border area on the far north of the USSR, it was a cold night, but in truth we loved it as most of our time in tankery was spent in the cold, but when they assigned us this new tank, we couldn't say no. 

"Hey Oswald you mind closing the hatch you're letting the snow in." Hans says, Hans our Gunner and my best friend "Ja." I closed the hatch and sat down. "We haven't seen a single soviet bastard in the last 3 weeks." Says Hermann

He was our loader always ready for a fight. "Hermann you need to calm down we just claimed this area for Germany you think they'll just take it back now; they're dumb but not that dumb." Friedrich says, our drive and the kind one of our crew always looking out for each other. 

"Well what about you Kurt?" Hans asks "Hmm nothing much honestly im just glad to be out of the shit hole we were in before." Kurt answered, Kurt was radio man as well as out machine gunner for the front he had a more laid back attitude. 

We all have our different traits and personalities (that I May randomly forget) we make a great tank crew family, but when in desperate times and the need to fight we all work as a unified force. 

"well, its nice of them to give us this Tiger II (H) Sla. 16, makes me feel invisible." I say, "Hell yeah" Hans cheers.

"hold on im getting something" Kurt says, "they want us to make a check down South for any possible Soviet tanks trying to flank from the snow." I nod my head, "alrighty then ready guys" I ask, "JA" The cheer.

"Good, Friedrich, nach vorne." I command. The tank began to move south down the border. Oh yeah I almost forgot about me, I'm Oswald Commander of this tank, also nicknamed The King.

We moved forward down south, the storm continued to get worse and worse "Scheibe, I can't see anything in this weather." Friedrich complain, "will be fine just drive slowly, don't want to risk hitting a rock." I respond. I couldn't deny it I'm surprised I can see at least a few feet in front of me. "Anything from high command?" Hermann asks.

"I got nothing I don't even think we can get a signal." Kurt states, "well will keep heading south for another 2 hours, and then will return back to our original station." I command, "JA!" They all shout.

Slowly as we went I had my head out of the cupola scanning for anything, but nothing. "dreiBig (30)" I say to the crew, letting them know we returning in 30 minutes. "stoppen" Hans whispers shouts, Friedrich stops the tank and turns to Hans, "What happen?" I ask sitting back down

"KV-1 dead ahead." Hans states, I look through the gunner sight, barely noticeable but there's a KV-1 with some snow covering it. "he's right." I state, this causes everyone to get battle ready, "we have APCBC loaded." Hermann states.

"it's a KV-1 should be enough as long as we pen the side." I remark, "On your word Oswald." Hans says, "Friedrich once we fire get ready to move." Friedrich nods his head reading to go, I put my hand up "Feuer."  

Dropping my hand down. Hans sends the shell forward crashing into the tank, an explosion was created sending the KV-1 turret head flying off. Friedrich starts to reverse and move right, "good shot, load another APCBC, Kurt try to send something to HQ, and Friedrich keep us moving." I command "JA" they answer.

As I keep my head out and try to scout for other targets, but in a few seconds a shot came from outta nowhere flying high to right of us "Friedrich reverse slowly, Hans direct the turret 76° left, do not fire until I say." "you got it." Hans begin to turn the turret and Friedrich slowed down in a reverse. No shots came "stoppen" I command, and the tanks stop moving. We sat in silence waiting for what's next.

It was quiet, very quiet, as a shell suddenly hits and ricochets off the side of the tank, "13° right and fire the second you're there." I order, and within seconds the turret moved and a shot ringed out of the barrel and cuts through the snow as I watch the sound of something getting hit and then an explosion of fire.