All,

The next phase of the battle sees the 82nd Airborne moving west along the coastal road towards Marsala, largely against inferior opposition, while the German frontline units pull back towards Messina at the northeast tip of the island.  1st Platoon is being brought back into the line to face off against flagging German and Italian opposition.  Up next for the platoon: Card H, "Screen."  Engineers will be off-board checking a substantial portion of road to determine if it can support an armored column, while 1st Platoon screens them from enemy action.  The platoon is at full strength and will have battalion 81mm mortars, an M-3 Stuart, and Sgt Lapidus' MMG in support, covering Sgt Austen's engineers.



See the whole thing at:
blackhawkhet.blogspot.com

To be honest, the platoon is a bit distraught; the last fight was pretty traumatic.  First, the platoon was facing overwhelming odds regarding two waves of German infantry backed by armor.  Then seeing Lieutenant go down.  Then the death of their most popular squad leader.  Some of the men are starting to wonder if Sgt Hurley is going to make it; he's clearly depressed again following the death of his good friend.  The platoon is missing a full rifle squad, and everyone's worried; if the Krauts will put up that kind of a fight on just the road to Marsala, what the hell is waiting for them in Marsala? 

And everyone saw Captain Linus call a huddle with Lt Shepherd and SSgt Ford; no replacements, and the platoon will be moving up to its jump-off positions early in the morning...

V/R,
Jack

Hi Jack,

Your blog address needs to be in [hyperlink] quotes in order to work. Better still, put it in the signature area of your profile and it will appear every time you post.

Love the narrative. Very "Band of Brothers"!

All the best.

Ray

Ahh, gotcha!  Thanks Ray.

V/R,
Jack

Quote from: bigjackmac on 15 October 2013, 03:14:53 AM
(...)  and the platoon will be moving up to its jump-off positions early in the morning...

Thanks for sharing. I wish'Em good luck !

They must be feeling pretty beat up at the moment, when they due a rotation back behind the lines for some R&R? 

Thanks guys.

I intend on giving them a couple days break every now and again, but I believe the fight in Sicily goes until 17 Aug 43.  Then they'll be pulled back for rest and refit, only to go into Salerno, then Anzio, then Normandy, then Market Garden, then the Bulge, then Varsity.  So, they've got a tough road ahead, but don't tell'em I said so! 

It's been a lot of fun so far.

V/R,
Jack