Vietnam Ground Zero 9 The Ville by Eric Helm

Author:Eric Helm
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

BEAU HAD FORMED THE MEN into a straight line behind one of the new bunkers. Some of them wore the uniforms that had been issued the day before. Others stood in the early morning light in only a loincloth. All stood at attention, their eyes locked forward, waiting for Bromhead and his staff to arrive and give them their orders.

When he approached, Bromhead saluted Beau. "Good morning, Colonel."

Beau returned the salute and responded, "Good morning. I have the men ready."

"Yes, I see." Bromhead counted them. Forty-seven of them stood there. "All these men have had military experience?"

"Yes," said Beau. "All have training."

"All right. I want to get everyone into a uniform. Then we'll pass out the rifles. Each man will be responsible for cleaning his own weapon. When that's finished, we'll visit the range for a little target practice."

Beau nodded his agreement. Bromhead pulled him aside and spoke to him quietly, "But first we need to get some scouts out. You must select five of your very best men and send them out to look for the Communists. They must not kill them, only count them and bring the information back to us. They must be here tomorrow morning at the latest. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"It's important that these men count the enemy soldiers and not shoot them. They cannot take their rifles, only their crossbows. They must dress in loincloths. They must be quiet and not be seen."

"The men will not like leaving their guns."

"It is something they must do. You tell them the rifles will be here when they return. The best we have, and the first weapons we capture, will be given to them. They must understand the importance of this. If they do it right, we will be able to kill many of the Communists."

Beau crouched and rocked back on his haunches, studying the problem. He picked up a twig and scribbled in the dirt with it. "This will be difficult.""

"Only the very best men can do this. Once we find the enemy, he will lead us to them and we will kill many more of them." Bromhead smiled.

"I see what can be done." Beau stood and walked among the assembled men. He tapped five of them on the chest and pulled them out of the formation. He took them aside and spoke in low tones for several minutes. When he finished, he waved at Bromhead.

"The men understand."

"Tell them," said Bromhead, "that we want them to split up and circulate to the north and east of here. Look for the Communists but don't shoot at them."

Beau repeated the instructions and when he finished, Bromhead said, "I want to see them before they go. You have them come by the weapons hootch when they are ready."

Bromhead split the remaining men into two groups of twenty. One was given to Gilman who was instructed to take them to the weapons hootch and get them into uniform. Bromhead and Hansen took charge of the other group, most of whom were already in uniform, and marched them to the hootch.

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