Opening Moves

Before the defenders reset themselves, the Sergeant brought up one of the panzerfaust’s he had found in the forge and fired the projectile, rolling immediately into cover.

The Panzerfaust 100 was the most numerous of the panzerfaust family, carrying a twenty-eight ounce explosive load. They were extremely effective against vehicles and hard targets and, as the Germans found out on the Russian Front, equally effective against soft targets like the human body.

Striking the corner of the right hand projection of wall, a few metres from the small drawbridge at the Lion Gate, the warhead exploded, sending deadly fragments of stone into three commandos gathered in the adjacent doorway.

The officer threw himself forward, closely followed by a group of his men, taking the stone stairs two at a time as they charged upwards, desperate to profit from the momentary shock and confusion.

The defenders opened up once more and paratroopers fell in the confined space of the stairs. Some made it to the first stage and ducked into cover within the rooms at the base of the keep, finding dead and wounded commandos littering the floors.

The Senior Lieutenant was tossed back down the stairs as a burst from a submachine-gun struck him in chest and abdomen, the journey down ending his pain as the fall broke his neck on first contact.

Capitaine de Frégate Dubois, changing the magazine on his Thompson SMG, ordered the drawbridge raised and two of his men surged forward to obey.

Beckoning Fournier to his side, he swiftly passed on responsibility for holding the approach, before doubling away up the next flight of stairs, where he encountered Prentiss and Ramsey organising orderlies and ‘Deux’ agents to defend the inner courtyard.

De Walle and Knocke strode briskly from the Hexagonal stairs, the former holding a plan of the castle and beckoning to Dubois.

Joined by Ramsey and Prentiss, the group of four took a rapid brief from Dubois, swiftly sketching his understanding on the map that De Walle held out flat for all to see.

As he ended, both Knocke and Ramsey went to point at a spot on the map. The German deferred and Ramsey spoke loudly, rising above the growing sounds of battle.

“Here is a weakness for us. We need men here in numbers or we are in trouble.”

His finger described the northern enclosed area, the access to which was controlled by a single portal close by the forge. Once through that obstacle the Russians would be able to make it to the Greater Bastion

“They may be through already.”

Anne-Marie Valois arrived with three other ’Deux’, each carrying three weapons and ammunition, taken from the secure lockers in De Walle’s office. In one easy movement and without waiting for orders, she hoisted a Sten gun off her shoulder into Knocke’s hands.

The other weapon, also a Sten, went to De Walle.

Valois set out her stall by retaining her own weapon.

As the remaining weapons and ammunition were distributed Dubois summoned his senior NCO, issued brief orders and the man sped quickly away, returning within a minute, a Bren gun team amongst the five men he had called to him.

Nodding at the swift response to his instructions, Dubois turned back to the assembled group, who were checking their weapons.

“The Petty Officer Major and his men, half of your party,” he indicated Ramsey who nodded his understanding, “And the Deuxieme, all will go to the Greater Battery and secure the northern door here,” Dubois tapped the map, indicating the base of the northernmost turret.

Turning to Knocke, he drew the German’s attention to a blind return in the wall on the north side of the inner garden.

A flare rose from one of the high points, a commando tasked with sending the whole supply skywards at regular intervals. Turning back from the distraction, Dubois continued.

“Here they cannot be observed from the bastion. They might try to climb, so we need a small group there. Colonel Knocke?”

“I will take three of mine but will need weapons.”

Valois spoke decisively as she offered up her sten.

“Take this as well. I will bring others and more ammunition.”

An explosion from the Lion Gate approaches drew their attention, ending the meeting by mutual consent, the various groups speeding to their assigned posts.

Whilst the allied group had been sorting their hasty defence plans, Makarenko had organised an assault against the gate to the northern area, and then launched his men against it. The defenders hacked down many paratroopers in the narrow confines but were not immune to casualties themselves. The defensive fire slackened, and then ceased, as they were overwhelmed.

He called Major Ilya Vidalevich Rispan to him, indicating first the northern gateway and secondly the stairs to the Lions Gate.

“Ilya, I’m going to take a group through here straight to the bastion. Keep up the attack there and get your men into the main building regardless.”

The wounded officer spat blood and a tooth fragment, summoning a reply as blood dribbled from the hole in his cheek.

“Yes Comrade General.”