Post by Larry Dunn on Nov 10, 2014 16:30:45 GMT -8
VII/11,19:30, I (Kpl. Stricker) and Inf. Kopanyi-Franceszkini arrived at the Kings Crossing sector at Friday night, and went to work preparing the MG Stellung for action until 00:00.
VIII/11, 08:00 The rest of the Abteilung, (Infn. Michaelis, Roberts and Palmerszki) arrive, along with two new replacements, both named Inf. Simon; they were immediately dubbed "Kicsi" and "Nagy" to tell them apart. We prepared to take up our position on the left flank.
09:15, Reports were received of an overturned vehicle blocking a critical supply line, so several soldaten were sent to clear the road.
10:30, Road cleared, I met with Unteroffizier Weller, commander of IR 23, the German unit on our immediate right, to confirm our orders and coordinate our actions. I was informed that AOK was insisting on a "demonstration" against the enemy as soon as possible, so despite the unseasonal heat and the enemy's strong defensive position, we joined our Deutsche Waffenbrüder, and went over the top, resulting in heavy losses for no gain. Just to be sure, we tried it again an hour later, with similar results. Not to be outdone, the Entente attacked us several times, and as one would expect from an assault against prepared positions in broad daylight, they were repulsed and suffered heavy casualties.
12:00-17:00, Apart from the occasional mortar round, things are mostly quiet, though the incessant noise from the German construction battalion make it impossible to sleep. A gas attack spoiled my afternoon Kaffee.
18:00 After nightfall, there were several attempts by the enemy to probe our position, all repulsed, despite the high failure rate of our illumination flares. We joined with IR 23 for a trench raid that resulted in a spirited general engagement. Mittelmächte forces gained control of no-man's-land, but were unable to breakthrough the enemy lines. We had an unfortunate friendly-fire incident (that is us firing on our friends), when a German wiring party apparently didn't hear (or respond) to my challenge. I must send some Waffelgebäck to them in the Feldlazarett.
All in all, I was very pleased with IR 61's participation in the recent action. Our new MG Stellung (Christened "Gerbaud" after the famous kaffeehaus in Budapest) is a spectacular success (thanks to Adam Matthews!). We fulfilled our primary role of defending the left flank, and joined in spirited offense when called upon by our German Kameraden. Supplies of ammunition, grenades, food and water proved to be more than adequate (despite the presence of voracious French rats). The most impressive feature of the weekend was IR 23's construction of their central trench position, often under enemy fire. The enemy acquitted themselves bravely and honorably; I salute them, as well as our Prussian and Bavarian Waffenbrüder, and especially my gute Soldaten of K.u.K. I.R. "Ritter von Frank," Nr. 61.
Respectfully submitted,
Kpl. Otto Stricker
II Baon/MG Komp
VIII/11, 08:00 The rest of the Abteilung, (Infn. Michaelis, Roberts and Palmerszki) arrive, along with two new replacements, both named Inf. Simon; they were immediately dubbed "Kicsi" and "Nagy" to tell them apart. We prepared to take up our position on the left flank.
09:15, Reports were received of an overturned vehicle blocking a critical supply line, so several soldaten were sent to clear the road.
10:30, Road cleared, I met with Unteroffizier Weller, commander of IR 23, the German unit on our immediate right, to confirm our orders and coordinate our actions. I was informed that AOK was insisting on a "demonstration" against the enemy as soon as possible, so despite the unseasonal heat and the enemy's strong defensive position, we joined our Deutsche Waffenbrüder, and went over the top, resulting in heavy losses for no gain. Just to be sure, we tried it again an hour later, with similar results. Not to be outdone, the Entente attacked us several times, and as one would expect from an assault against prepared positions in broad daylight, they were repulsed and suffered heavy casualties.
12:00-17:00, Apart from the occasional mortar round, things are mostly quiet, though the incessant noise from the German construction battalion make it impossible to sleep. A gas attack spoiled my afternoon Kaffee.
18:00 After nightfall, there were several attempts by the enemy to probe our position, all repulsed, despite the high failure rate of our illumination flares. We joined with IR 23 for a trench raid that resulted in a spirited general engagement. Mittelmächte forces gained control of no-man's-land, but were unable to breakthrough the enemy lines. We had an unfortunate friendly-fire incident (that is us firing on our friends), when a German wiring party apparently didn't hear (or respond) to my challenge. I must send some Waffelgebäck to them in the Feldlazarett.
All in all, I was very pleased with IR 61's participation in the recent action. Our new MG Stellung (Christened "Gerbaud" after the famous kaffeehaus in Budapest) is a spectacular success (thanks to Adam Matthews!). We fulfilled our primary role of defending the left flank, and joined in spirited offense when called upon by our German Kameraden. Supplies of ammunition, grenades, food and water proved to be more than adequate (despite the presence of voracious French rats). The most impressive feature of the weekend was IR 23's construction of their central trench position, often under enemy fire. The enemy acquitted themselves bravely and honorably; I salute them, as well as our Prussian and Bavarian Waffenbrüder, and especially my gute Soldaten of K.u.K. I.R. "Ritter von Frank," Nr. 61.
Respectfully submitted,
Kpl. Otto Stricker
II Baon/MG Komp
