Enemies by Richard Whitten Barnes

Author:Richard Whitten Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: WW1, CEF, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Vimy Ridge, Flanders, Picardy, Western Front, Ypres, Armistice, Remembrance Day
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
Published: 2023-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

October 29, 1917

Near Decline Copse

A COLD DRIZZLE FELL in the darkness. Jürgen pulled the tarp over Alfred and himself as they waited for the signal to go. The successful defense of the Copse on the 26th had been overturned the very next day when fresh Canadian and Australian troops surprised Bavarian units who’d been posted to hold it.

With their superior defensive position, the Bavarians had put up a fierce fight, but the Australians had found the German guns with their own artillery and their superior numbers prevailed by the night of the 27th.

The enemy seemed satisfied to have consolidated its position and not press farther the entire day of Sunday, 28 October.

Jürgen knew yesterday was Sunday only because the Bavarians kept a chaplain ministering to their papist needs. It had not been since his confirmation—his mother’s dying wish—that Jürgen had seen the inside of a church.

That meant this was Monday, a fact he would not have known or cared about, as the days melted into an amorphous mass of sameness. Would today be unique? He thought about that. Late last night, Lieutenant Stoner told his platoon he’d volunteered along with the first platoon to conduct a night raid on the Copse. The idea was that a force of less than one hundred men could penetrate the enemy before being noticed. An intelligence report maintained the enemy’s Australian faction had pulled out, leaving the Canadians with only one, possibly two companies in place. Stoner said it was worth an attempt to surprise them with a two pronged raid.

They set out well before daylight, relying on what light the moon could filter through the overcast and the short distance they had to traverse. 2nd Platoon was to approach from the east, storming the Copse at exactly 4:45 AM. If all went well, they would overwhelm the outer perimeter and—at best—drive the enemy from their position. At worst, they could possibly capture an officer or two for interrogation.

With fixed bayonet, Jürgen picked his way in the meager light, following the footfalls ahead. Sooner than expected, the first straggly trees of their destination appeared.

In less than a minute, and before the planned attack, sounds of engagement erupted. They’d been detected. Shots rang out. English words, “Raid! Raid!” were echoed down the line. So much for surprise.

“Keep moving! Geradeaus!”” Stoner’s panicked voice ordered.

Jürgen bumped into the man in front of him, stumbling in the dark and falling on his rifle. More shooting. He got to his feet in time to see the flash of a rifle, and he fired in that direction, not knowing if he’d hit anything. This is insane!

An explosion that sounded like a grenade joined the increasing small arms fire. More explosions followed. He saw the dark shape of a man rushing toward him. Instinctively he extended the sharp blade of his bayonet, and felt it penetrate. He heard a soft oof! The man did not fall, but disappeared into the dark.

There were more of the enemy among the skeletal trees. Stoner

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