Post by Larry Dunn on Nov 5, 2012 9:57:56 GMT -8
2 November
I arrived at the Lake of the Woods sector approximately 1500, to find Russian elements already encamped. I inspected the Central Power's position, and determined the best location for setting up the MG. The area is heavily wooded, limiting visibility. The promised German supply train with wire and sand bags failed to arrive, so I prepared the MG position as well as I could with the materials at hand. Received word that the MG and the rest of the crew would not arrive before morning, so I set up my lager behind a log palisade and prepared for a cold, lonely night.
Posing as a deserter, I infiltrated the Russian camp, where I was well received; no officers or senior NCOs present, so we traded rations and shared a meal of kasha and bread. These Russian boys are are good simple peasants. I will regret cutting them in half with the Schwarzlose tomorrow. Retired back to my camp around 2300.
3 November
Coffee and bread for breakfast. Inf. Kopanyi-Francseskini arrives at 0800 with the MG and a charming telephone operator on loan from the Germans (IR 23). We sent up the MG and telephone lines. Some German stragglers wander in (a sergeant from Prussian IR23, and an unhorsed Bavarian trooper, 2nd Chevaleger, I believe--his accent is unintelligible); we put them to work on our defenses. Inf. Pfeiffer arrives by 0930; the reality that no more reinforcements are forthcoming sets in, and I realize that I am in command. At least the weather is good; no rain, clear skies, gentle breezes of good, clean mountain air.
Reconnaissance reveals that the Russians (believed to be from the 3rd Brigade, Legion Russe) have been reinforced to squad level; some British elements are also sited, variously identified as either RMLI or 2nd Lanc. Fusiliers.
By 1100, situation is clear--we are outnumbered roughly 2 to 1, it appears that the enemy lacks any heavy weapons. We have no wire; I have been issued Zeitzunder grenades; my experience with these it that they are a greater danger to the user than the enemy, so I do not distribute them.
The MG is set up in a shell hole, with a good field of fire. Our Bavarian friend has an injured knee, so he goes in the forward OP (also a shell hole), in good position to enfilade the path the enemy will most likely use. Sgt. Weller (the lone Prussian), Inf. Pfeiffer and I take up positions in narrow trenches to the left and right of the MG nest.
1130: The enemy probes our position, and are repulsed by MG and rifle fire.
after they withdraw, I attempt to probe the enemy's left flank, but am turned back by their pickets. Another attempt on the right meets with similar results.
1200: The enemy attacks in earnest; heavy fighting--we are only saved by the good work of Inf. Kopanyi on the MG.
1230: Sgt. Weller, Inf. Pfeiffer and I make various attempts at probing the enemy line, but we simply do not have sufficient forces to make any concerted attack.
1300: Enemy attacks with smoke and grenades--our poor Bavarian comrade and the FOP are obliterated, but we manage to repel the enemy. We take turns going forward to harass the enemy, but these are little more than dangerous distractions.
1400: Enemy attacks continue roughly every 15 to 20 minutes, but are repulsed.
1445: Inf. Kopanyi is hit, MG is out of commission.
1500: Enemy attacks all along the front--with no machine gun, we are over-run.
1600: We regain our position when the English soldiers insist on returning to their camp for tea.
1610: We launch a suicidal counter-attack, with predictable results. It buys us enough time to prepare our "planned strategic withdrawal to prepared positions."
1700: Retiring in good order, we leave the field to the enemy.
Noted for their good discipline and tenacity in the face of enemy fire:
Inf. Adi Kopanyi-Fracseskini
Inf. Nikolaus Pfeiffer
Likewise, our thanks to our Prussian and Bavarian comrades for their commitment to their duty.
We salute our enemy for their gallant and soldierly behavior.
Submitted by:
Kpl. Otto Stricker, 2nd Baon MG Komp.
KuK Inf. Reg. "Ritter von Frank," Nr. 61
I arrived at the Lake of the Woods sector approximately 1500, to find Russian elements already encamped. I inspected the Central Power's position, and determined the best location for setting up the MG. The area is heavily wooded, limiting visibility. The promised German supply train with wire and sand bags failed to arrive, so I prepared the MG position as well as I could with the materials at hand. Received word that the MG and the rest of the crew would not arrive before morning, so I set up my lager behind a log palisade and prepared for a cold, lonely night.
Posing as a deserter, I infiltrated the Russian camp, where I was well received; no officers or senior NCOs present, so we traded rations and shared a meal of kasha and bread. These Russian boys are are good simple peasants. I will regret cutting them in half with the Schwarzlose tomorrow. Retired back to my camp around 2300.
3 November
Coffee and bread for breakfast. Inf. Kopanyi-Francseskini arrives at 0800 with the MG and a charming telephone operator on loan from the Germans (IR 23). We sent up the MG and telephone lines. Some German stragglers wander in (a sergeant from Prussian IR23, and an unhorsed Bavarian trooper, 2nd Chevaleger, I believe--his accent is unintelligible); we put them to work on our defenses. Inf. Pfeiffer arrives by 0930; the reality that no more reinforcements are forthcoming sets in, and I realize that I am in command. At least the weather is good; no rain, clear skies, gentle breezes of good, clean mountain air.
Reconnaissance reveals that the Russians (believed to be from the 3rd Brigade, Legion Russe) have been reinforced to squad level; some British elements are also sited, variously identified as either RMLI or 2nd Lanc. Fusiliers.
By 1100, situation is clear--we are outnumbered roughly 2 to 1, it appears that the enemy lacks any heavy weapons. We have no wire; I have been issued Zeitzunder grenades; my experience with these it that they are a greater danger to the user than the enemy, so I do not distribute them.
The MG is set up in a shell hole, with a good field of fire. Our Bavarian friend has an injured knee, so he goes in the forward OP (also a shell hole), in good position to enfilade the path the enemy will most likely use. Sgt. Weller (the lone Prussian), Inf. Pfeiffer and I take up positions in narrow trenches to the left and right of the MG nest.
1130: The enemy probes our position, and are repulsed by MG and rifle fire.
after they withdraw, I attempt to probe the enemy's left flank, but am turned back by their pickets. Another attempt on the right meets with similar results.
1200: The enemy attacks in earnest; heavy fighting--we are only saved by the good work of Inf. Kopanyi on the MG.
1230: Sgt. Weller, Inf. Pfeiffer and I make various attempts at probing the enemy line, but we simply do not have sufficient forces to make any concerted attack.
1300: Enemy attacks with smoke and grenades--our poor Bavarian comrade and the FOP are obliterated, but we manage to repel the enemy. We take turns going forward to harass the enemy, but these are little more than dangerous distractions.
1400: Enemy attacks continue roughly every 15 to 20 minutes, but are repulsed.
1445: Inf. Kopanyi is hit, MG is out of commission.
1500: Enemy attacks all along the front--with no machine gun, we are over-run.
1600: We regain our position when the English soldiers insist on returning to their camp for tea.
1610: We launch a suicidal counter-attack, with predictable results. It buys us enough time to prepare our "planned strategic withdrawal to prepared positions."
1700: Retiring in good order, we leave the field to the enemy.
Noted for their good discipline and tenacity in the face of enemy fire:
Inf. Adi Kopanyi-Fracseskini
Inf. Nikolaus Pfeiffer
Likewise, our thanks to our Prussian and Bavarian comrades for their commitment to their duty.
We salute our enemy for their gallant and soldierly behavior.
Submitted by:
Kpl. Otto Stricker, 2nd Baon MG Komp.
KuK Inf. Reg. "Ritter von Frank," Nr. 61
