The Aftermath of 1976 by William Stroock

Author:William Stroock [Stroock, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Korean DMZ

Captain Jenner deployed Charlie Company’s M-113s in a line five hundred yards behind Gold Ridge. A hundred yards in front of the tracks, the infantry dug in so that a line of MGs and TOW missile launchers awaited the North Koreans. And they would come. Jenner could tell by the North Korean rockets coming over the ridge.

‘Sgt. Johnson, get battalion back on the horn and ask them about the goddamn gas they promised us.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Zulu-6, Zulu-6, this is Charlie-6 come in…’

Another volley of North Korean rockets streaked overhead.

‘They missed us,’ Sergeant Johnson said.

‘They weren’t aiming for us,’ Captain Jenner replied. ‘They’re aiming for Zulu-6.’

Jenner picked up his binoculars and scanned Gold Ridge.

‘I see Baker Company…what’s left of it. Oh, there,’ he said as an M-60 tank’s main gun fired. A moment later a north Korean tank fired back. The M-60 exploded in a shower of flames.

‘Jesus,’ Jenner said.

A volley of artillery hit Baker Company, kicking up geysers of dirt and throwing smoke into the air.

‘That ought to about do it for Baker Company, Captain,’ said Sgt. Johnson.

A few minutes later Jenner and Sgt. Johnson saw figures surmounting the ridge. Some took positions down slope, while others climbed the knocked-out tanks and broke open the hatches.

Johnson said, ‘Jesus they’re pulling one of our guys out of that tank and…the fuckers shot him!’

Jenner took the mic, ‘Zulu-6, Zulu-6, this is Charlie-6.’

‘Copy, Charlie-6.’

‘The North Koreans have Gold Ridge now.’

‘Copy, Charlie-6.’

‘What do you want me to do?’

‘Hold your position.’

‘Copy, Zulu-6. I don’t think I have a choice. Any word on when we’re going to get some more gas?’

‘Will advise, Charlie-6.’

‘Okay, Zulu-6, but when?’

‘Will advise, Charlie-6. Out.’

Jenner threw the mic down in frustration.

‘Captain,’ Sgt. Johnson pointed to Gold Ridge.

‘Yeah, I see them,’ Jenner replied as North Korean troops moved down the slope. He picked up the mic again. ‘Hawk-6, Hawk- 6 this is Charlie-6. Fire mission, over.’

‘Uhhh. No-can-do Charlie-6. Orders are to hold our fire.’

‘Hawk-6, I got North Koreans…’

‘So does everyone else, Charlie-6. Word came from Zulu-6. We don’t fire without his okay. Hawk-6 Out.’

Sgt. Johnson reported, ‘Captain I see enemy tracks coming down the slope.’

Sgt. Johnson keyed his mic and said, ‘Charlie-Company, open fire…’

An hour later Johnson said. ‘They just keep coming sir. Trying to hold us in place...’

Mortar shells exploded in front of the line. A dozen M-113s lay knocked out on the slope. A volley of rockets shot overhead. Jenner watched until he saw movement on the top of the ridge. ‘Oh Jesus. Johnson, look.’

A quartet of T-55 tanks topped the ridge. Johnson watched each tank’s turret traverse left, stop and fire. A moment later one of the M-113s down the line exploded. The North Korean tanks fired another volley and destroyed another M-113. The blast lifted the track into the air. It slammed back down awkwardly.

‘Jesus.’

The quartet of tanks started down the slope. Another quartet of tanks moved onto the ridge top, leveled their guns and sent a volley of fragmentation rounds into Charlie Company’s line.

‘Captain…’

‘Zulu-6, this is Charlie-6. I got tanks.

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