Rivalry

Mission two: der Hinterhalt

It was the eve of battle. Three platoons of the royal tank regiment stood in ranks in front of the gleaming Mathilda's  they were going to use in battle against the germans.

"Attention! A message from the lieutenant!" Shouted Murray, as Maria hauled herself up onto a tank for effect.

"Men! That was a cracker of a storm last night! I hope you're all still in one piece!"

"Sir yes sir!" They shouted.

"Now is the time, gentlemen, when we finally put a stop to this brutal onslaught! I expect discipline, courage and ferocity from each and everyone of you. You were placed under my command, and that means that we're going to be under the most amount of fire as we enter the line of attack."

"Sir yes sir!"

"Every inch of ground gained will drive the enemy back to the hell they came from. Because make no mistake, the people of France are suffering for no good reason. And if France falls, who do you think will be next? Remember who, and for what we are fighting for! To protect our loved ones from coming to harm. So go." Maria shouted with ferocity. " knock out as many of the bastards tanks as you can! I want more panzers destroyed by us than any other company!"

"Sir!"

"We've got a score to settle." She grinned, and cracked her knuckles, thinking of what a surprise Rommel would get when she rolled into their camp. With that she jumped off the tank, and headed towards a jeep that held all of the relevant tactical equipment for a mobile command base. Radios, maps, and other paraphernalia were covered by a tarp in the back. Unsurprisingly, Colonel Maybury had forbidden her from participating in the battle from the frontline, on the basis that she was in command of quite a few troops this time, and her recklessness was bound to get her killed someday. Still not going to forgive him for that.  She hefted her rifle over her shoulder, at least she had that, although it hadn't seen much use recently.

"Dismissed!" She shouted, and the men formed their squads, and leaped into their tanks. The battle had finally begun.

-----------------------

"Well klaus, it is something we should have taken care of ages ago." Said Rommel firmly. He had just given the order for all squads to see to the repairs of their tanks before the advance.

"Herr Kommandant, i am not questioning your order, i just worry that while we wait, we leave ourselves vulnerable to attack." Klaus reasoned. Erwin considered this. Would the allies stage a counter- offensive here this late in the game? No. Not like this, at any rate. The risk of encirclement for a large scale attack is too great, even if they're desperate. He decided that the attack was far more likely to occur towards the north, at which point his panzers would be ready to flank them and cut them off.

Erwin explained his point to his doubtful aide, before going to get some breakfast. As
he walked to their camp's main clearing, he thought of his meeting with that corporal.

'If you want to see her go down as much as i do, i know her greatest weakness. I know how you can destroy her once and for all.'

'No.' Erwin had replied after a moment's temptation.

'What?' The corporal replied with an incredulous tone.

'I don't make deals vith traitors, and you are also zhe enemy. I vould have to be an idiot to trust you.'

'You'll regret this.' Muttered the corporal, and disappeared into the shadows of the wrecked village.

It seemed like that corporal was planning something, something big. Erwin munched on the bland rations thoughtfully as he sat in the shadow of the hill. If it caused problems for the enemy so much the better. After he finished eating, Erwin went to check on the progress with the repairs. As soon as they were finished, the ghost division would be ready to move, and Commander Rommel was itching for some action.