The weary private, marveled at the blue shadows cast on the frozen ground under the snow laden pine trees. “Hey Sarge….., why is the shadow blue? We dont get snow in Florida, is it the sky Sarge? Sarge, how we gunna dig foxholes? That ground looks mighty hard, don’t?

“SHHADDUP”, said Pvt Toppen’s fireteam leader. Cant ya see Sarge is trying to rest?”

“Then you tell me Nicewarner, why..why is it blue? “shot back Toppen.
The friendly banter dropped off as the distinctive rumble of a dual rear axle deuce & 1/2 as well as the unmistakable noise of tank sprockets clanking on track could be heard approaching.

“Hey sarge, I think I see a jeep and truckload of our boys headed our way! Thought you said no replacements until Sunday? Hey Sarge whats up with that?” The trooper glanced at his leader, warming himself by the stove of the quaint house they were stationed in. If not for war an idilic location for a snowy romantic getaway. He and the wounded but healing sarge had been thru the ringer together more than once, but now they were resting up. Their squad was down to just a handful of tired walking wounded. The army called that refitting, is what Toppen recalled. So many rules, so many rules.

Nicewarner said, ‘relax they are probably early Toppen’

The grizzled Sargent Tracton sighed, rubbed his stubble and groused. ” yep, I reckon they are either early or Jerry”…what do say private Toppen? I know, why dont YOU go and check it out for us. Oh, and rug up, it’s cold out there” Everybody laughed. Toppen smiled.

“Ahhh Sarge..I got a question first…” said trooper Toppen.
“What now Toppen?”
“Why them boys unloading up the road a ways? When the sign for the depot tells ’em where to go, I put it there myself Sarge…they ain’t following the rules, you know what, I’d not give them any o’ that nice hot soup in the mess if it were up to me.. you got to obey the goll, darn rules, right sarge?!”

The sarge looked at his bandaged arm…looked at Nicewarner…rolled his eyes and leaned away from the warmth of the fire to see the truck. “Damn it Toppen”. Was all he said.

Grimacing as he heaved his tommy gun into his good hand, the sarge walked to the door, opened it and shouted out to the unloading troops ” yo, get your asses to the depot…hey…hey… soldier, where u guys coming in from, you can’t unload here?”
One soldier paused, dropped his cigarette, and casually rested his hand on his weapon, and said “Sarge we are coming in for the Big Red replacement depot” The Sarge squinted at the insignia..he really needed glasses but was too proud to admit it. “Ahh ok, what regiment you looking for, cause you in the wrong spot, they down by Malmedy,.” The soldier mumbled a number…”what regiment did you say?” Said Tracton.

“Aww Sarge, do I look like a kraut to you? The 27th sarge…”

The Sarge stepped back inside quickly. “Call it in Nicewarner, they are krauts, there is no 27th regiment. Light ’em up Toppen”.

All of sudden the blue shadows of untouched snow rippled with gun fire, windows shattered, men dove for cover and the engine of the truck roared into reverse.

Swerving around it, came the jeep, spitting fire from its 50 cal mount. Toppen and the rest of the men ducked for cover. “shit” said several guys all at once.

Meanwhile the Hellcat tank, and an odd looking one at that, rolled to a halt, traversed its gun and fired into the building at the cross roads. The building popped like a cork; wood, glass and mortar spread 365 degrees for yards.

The roof collapsed, and barely a wall was left standing. The Yanks had barely pulled themselves from the rubble, when a squad of what appeared to be US soldiers opened fire, with an MG 42 and M1 carbines. The attack caught all the disorientated men in a deadly volley of steel.

The sudden attack had caught the troopers unawares!

Lt Harris , jumped into action, rolling out of his bedroll. “What the hell, get a call into Battalion ASAP! We will need support. ” He ran towards the nearest group of soldiers who were already returning fire. “Shoot those sons o’bitches.”

Meanwhile as his men’s training kicked in, the AT gunners ran to their weapon, dodging fire. More shots whistled by from the deep woods on the Lt’s left flank.  The machine gunner, had already brought his weapon to bear, and he and the squad nearby opened up on the men in the shadows. “They got damn US uniforms on, how the hell did they get here?” Shouted one soldier.

Lt Harris said “if they don’t look familiar, or are headed towards you shoot first ask questions later, that is a gawd damn Panther, that ain’t no HellCat!

Fire from the woods slacked as the Germans took cover. Over at Pvt Toppens location, they had recovered their composure enough to start firing back, despite the staccato of shells pounding the building. Toppen glanced to his left. He could see the “HellCat” traversing its main gun in his direction. “Ahhh, Sarge, I got a question.”

More to come…