Re: WWII Smolensk 41 Tournament
Posted: 23 Nov 2020 03:26
The American tank commander was comfortable.
His chair was leaned back against the wall while his feet were propped up in another. A glass of whiskey rested on the table, lovingly held in his right hand. A half smoked Lucky Strike hung loosely from his lips, the ashes carelessly falling onto the floor as the cigarette slowly burned away. The officer's eyes were closed and he was just about to drift off to a blissful nap when his gunner burst into the tavern and yelled, "They've got Furry!"
Startled by the sudden outburst, the Lt. Colonel dropped his Lucky Strike on his leg and nearly spilled his whiskey while trying to keep from getting burned. Pushing his cap back on his head, the officer glared up as his gunner. "What in the hell are you talking about, Bible? You nearly caused me to catch this place on fire. Who's got Furry?"
"The engineers, Colonel. They just loaded her onto a freighter and shipped her off to Russia."
"They did what!", exclaimed the Lt. Colonel as he jumped to his feet and headed toward the tavern door. He hadn't taken three steps before he suddenly stopped in his tracks as his commanding officer entered the door by which he intended to leave.
"Colonel Jones, I have a job for you", said the General.
There is absolutely no way this can be good, thought the tank commander as he offered the requisite salute.
Returning the salute, the General continued, "It seems that our Russian allies are having a bit of trouble in the east. We are sending a shipment of Shermans to help them stem the tide of the German advance at Smolensk. The Russians are not familiar with our tanks or the specific tactics by which we operate them. They will need training. That is where you come in."
Handing the Lt. Colonel written transport orders, the General said, "You and your crew are on the next transport flight to Moscow".
The American tank commander stared at the papers in disbelief.
The General moved to the door, and turned back just before leaving. "And Colonel."
"Yes, General?"
"Thanks for volunteering."
His chair was leaned back against the wall while his feet were propped up in another. A glass of whiskey rested on the table, lovingly held in his right hand. A half smoked Lucky Strike hung loosely from his lips, the ashes carelessly falling onto the floor as the cigarette slowly burned away. The officer's eyes were closed and he was just about to drift off to a blissful nap when his gunner burst into the tavern and yelled, "They've got Furry!"
Startled by the sudden outburst, the Lt. Colonel dropped his Lucky Strike on his leg and nearly spilled his whiskey while trying to keep from getting burned. Pushing his cap back on his head, the officer glared up as his gunner. "What in the hell are you talking about, Bible? You nearly caused me to catch this place on fire. Who's got Furry?"
"The engineers, Colonel. They just loaded her onto a freighter and shipped her off to Russia."
"They did what!", exclaimed the Lt. Colonel as he jumped to his feet and headed toward the tavern door. He hadn't taken three steps before he suddenly stopped in his tracks as his commanding officer entered the door by which he intended to leave.
"Colonel Jones, I have a job for you", said the General.
There is absolutely no way this can be good, thought the tank commander as he offered the requisite salute.
Returning the salute, the General continued, "It seems that our Russian allies are having a bit of trouble in the east. We are sending a shipment of Shermans to help them stem the tide of the German advance at Smolensk. The Russians are not familiar with our tanks or the specific tactics by which we operate them. They will need training. That is where you come in."
Handing the Lt. Colonel written transport orders, the General said, "You and your crew are on the next transport flight to Moscow".
The American tank commander stared at the papers in disbelief.
The General moved to the door, and turned back just before leaving. "And Colonel."
"Yes, General?"
"Thanks for volunteering."