Saturn

[Caius]

I thought you posted another bit. You dissapointed me. When will it come??

[Prussian to the Iron]

sorry, my parents changed the password on MY computer, so now i can barely get on it. i think i will port it to the computer i now use mainly and go from there. you can expect another update by next wednesday

[Prussian to the Iron]

ok, i will now post updates regurlarly, but then add them to the first post. stay ready for the next chapter

[Prussian to the Iron]

Chapter 3: Landing

The 51st Army entered Stalingrad on July 21st, 1942. Even though the Red Army had occupied the city a week earlier, the ammunition was still in short supply, and had to be shipped in across the river. Being one of the last fores to arrive, and the one with the least men, the rear of our column was given naught but knives. The division in the back of the column....it...was mine.

As we boarded a boat to cross the Volga,we could hear the metallic clings of Katyusha's being loaded with rockets, and driving back to the shore to get a clear arc into the German positions. Approaching nearer, the fog began to lift and the sun rose, shining off the Katyusha artillery. Unloading from the boats, there was the song 'Katyusha' playing from a radio at the small harbor. Oh, that song kept us cheery even as we disembarked and were handed knives. I enthusiastically grabbed the one issued to me, smiling back at Boris. Boris grabbed the knife, shifted it in his hands, and looked grimly back at me. I could tell he was scared. Grabbing him, I tried to cheer him up. 'Come Boris!' I told him, 'Look inside yourself! You can drive back theses German bastards! Just think about your family. Think about the day you kill the last German here, and we march on and free your family. We will save them Boris, it is only a matter of time. Now let's go kill some Germans.' He faintly smiled at me, and we headed up to our division headquarters.

Upon reaching the building, a tank factory, we headed up to the control room, where Starshina Polski awaited us.



further update of this chapter to follow

[Prussian to the Iron]

comments?

[Prussian to the Iron]

ok,

[Prussian to the Iron]

wtf?

[Prussian to the Iron]

Chapter 4: Smoke and Fire

"Welcome Comrades," Polski addressed us, "to Stalingrad. The center of Fascist destruction in the Motherland. I heard that some of you were given only knives, and I cannot do anything. Now maybe you will be more eager to kill, eh?" several of us chuckled a little, "We'll get right to it then. The Germans are using a nearby foundry as a base to harass our troops coming across the Volga. I am the leader for this operation, and all who disobey will be shot. Turn in all knives and rifles to me, for re-distribution as I see fit. Dismissed."

After everyone left, I approached Polski, "Sir, exactly how many are occupying the foundry?" his eyes darkened, and he turned away, "I understand, sir." I saluted, and walked away quickly.

I spent the rest of the night skulking, and avoiding my friends. I had trouble eating as well, and went to sleep sick, thinking of all the men I knew who might die tomorrow. This was not to be the first time that dream would make me twist and turn in my sleep.

The next morning, I awoke early; I had only slept about an hour. Boris, Dmitri and I were some of the first in the line at the barracks. Dmitri and I received rifles. Boris was given a blunt knife, and 2 clips of Mosin-Nagant ammunition. Once we had all received weapons, each man with a rifle was paired with 2 men with knives, in case the riflemen should die. I watched as Boris marched off with 2 of the weaker men of the division, looking at me with a look in his face, one that I shall never forget, one that showed his readiness to die, and his complete loss of all hope.

We began to move towards the foundry in 2 groups: the first group, Boris', would be the distraction; a head-on assault, guaranteed to fail. My group was to go around several buildings, leaving half the men in a building adjacent to keep up fire on the foundry. As we separated, I solemnly waved to Boris, knowing it was not proper for a final farewell.

As we rounded the final corner to the adjacent building, I could hear the gunshots and blood-curdling screams nearby. Starshina Polski warned us not to run, or we would surely be dead. He rounded the corner, leveled his PPSH-41, and fired. "Alexandre! lead your half to the building! Go now!" He yelled, over the sounds of grinding treads as a Panzer started coming down the street.


more of this chapter to follow.