From the Clan Amir book Falcon Fledgling
Raptor Games
by
Ernest Edwards
All rights reserved © 2007, 2008, and 2010
In early December 2003, at the end of the school year, Gordon's posted to the 3rd Royal Armoured Guards, the Brown Raptors, as a corporal in charge of a squad and a tank commander. He knows plenty of theory on how to use the tanks in the field, but he's never been inside one before. He's there on a three week temporary posting while the tank's normal commander's on compassionate leave to look after his family while his wife has an urgent operation. Corporals with the relevant training aren't freely available. Gordon's the only available option, so they approve the leave and send him along.
Arriving on the base at 9.15 am in a private car with driver, he greets the regular tank commander as he's about to leave. Gordon says, “Hi, Painter, how you planning to travel?”
Full Corporal Steve Rubens, aka Painter, is an old school mate of one of Gordon's older cousins and they know each other well. Steve turns around, “Hi, Gordie. Where'd you get that fancy dress?” He doesn't know he's passed the manhood tests or joined the Guards.
“Passed my manhood tests some time back. Mother suggested I join the Guards and get out from under foot, so here I am. I don't have a driver's licence, and couldn't reach the pedals anyway. Not tall enough to load the cannon or aim the machine gun. So they sent me along to take over as the commander. I think they figure the worst I can do is direct the driver into a ditch, and he's smart enough to avoid it while making me look good. I'm the reason they can give you leave, as there's no one else they're prepared to trust your crew with. They don't want them contaminating any regular tank commanders.”
Laughing, Steve says, “Well, I know they can't hurt you. Just don't damage them too much while I'm gone.” Patting the tank, “And take good care of this hunk of metal. I'm kind of fond of it.”
Smiling, he replies, “I'll try, but I can't promise anything. Give my best to Betty and the kids. Take my car and driver, that'll get you home much quicker than the public transport. And if you're prepared to share the time at the wheel, you needn't stop for meals, either.”
Steve smiles, “Thanks, I appreciate it.” He throws his bags in the car's boot. Turning to his crew, “I'd be careful if I were you lot. Gordie isn't big, but he's smart and tough. The scuttlebutt is he's tougher than his father, and I know you've heard of him.”
The tank crew of Baker Three Three (B Company, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad) are very wary of their new commander. They know he's never been in a tank, never fired a tank cannon, and is so young. He's also so small he needs a special cushion on the tank commander's chair to look out. There's some concern, despite the fact their regular commander likes him and thinks well of him.
Picking up his duffel bag, Gordie says, to one private, “Right, show me where to drop my kit and take me to the Company Commander's Office.” The private addressed is about to blow him off, after all, he's only a kid; but something in Gordon's eyes makes him stop and think. Turning, he leads the way.
As they walk to their squad quarters, the private says, “Painter seems to think we should be careful of you, why?”
“Mother thinks I'm a lot tougher than father, and some of my past commanders agree with her, they'd served with him. He served with the Foresters and Rocks. Retired to get married.” The private still doesn't see why this son of a retired Guard should be a worry. They drop Gordon's gear off and head for the Commander's Office.
When they arrive at the office, the Company Commander, Captain Daniels, is just leaving. He says, “You my replacement for Rubens?” Gordon nods, “I haven't got your posting message or short file yet. All I have is a phone call saying you're coming and you've never been inside a tank before. That true?”
Gordon replies, “Yes, sir, it is. I passed the Tank Commanders exam with ninety-seven percent marks, but I've never been in a tank before. Not tall enough to do any of the other jobs, so there wasn't much point in putting me in one. Command thinks I can safely command a tank, and doubt I can do you any serious harm in three weeks.”
Daniels smiles, “Well, they're probably right about that. At least you know the theory of what to do and how to do it. We've exercises starting the day after tomorrow, we'll see how you put it into practice.”
Gordon nods his agreement, “Sir, request permission to take my people out to the practice grounds after lunch and all day tomorrow, so I can get a feel of what it's like inside before the exercises.”
“Approved, good thinking. Do you know why the regimental commander isn't having kittens over getting a boy tank commander?”
He responds, “I don't know why, sir. But I can take a good guess. I've met the colonel before, he knows my father, and he's seen me in rifle and martial arts competitions. I'd say he thinks I can do the job. I'm sure, if he had the slightest feeling I couldn't do the job, he'd have screamed blue murder, sir.”
Daniels says, “Knowing that, myself, is one reason I haven't screamed blue murder. I still don't know who you are, as they didn't give me that over the phone. They were very abrupt.”
“Sorry, sir, I thought they'd told you. Senior Corporal Gordon Mannheim reporting for duty, sir.”
Everyone in the room's listening in, especially the private who showed him the way. Now they all stare, this boy's a senior corporal. The field jacket he's wearing doesn't show rank. No field jacket does - for security in the field.
Daniels says, “Any relation to Granite Mannheim?”
“He's my father, sir, and mother swears I'm tougher than him. I can only vouch for being able to out stubborn him, sir.” There's a few gulps around the room, Granite's son. Oh boy, this could be interesting.
“Well, I know you didn't win your rank in a raffle, so you must be able to handle troops, and that's the main task of a tank commander. We'll see how you go during the exercises. Dismissed.” Both Gordon and the private with him snap to attention and salute. Turning sharply, they leave the room.
Corporal Capers
They arrive back at their tank to find Full Corporal Masters and his crew, they're from another company, having shots about them having a toy tank for a boy to play with. Gordon decides to nip this in the bud, and says, “Thanks for the comedy relief, corporal. You may leave, now. Some of us have work to do.”
Masters, a large man, turns on Gordon, saying, “Who do you think you are?”
“I'm the commander of this tank and am ordering excess personnel to move away so we can ready the tank for exercises. Move along, please, corporal.”
Masters replies, “You're lucky your so small, kid. Otherwise I'd punch you to pulp for sassing your elders.”
Gordon looks him over, “I doubt you've the skill, strength, or ability to do that. If you feel the need to eat dirt that badly, I suggest you speak to the RSM about organising a time. So he can have the medics on hand to put you back together after I tear you apart.” Both crews gasp, Masters is about half as tall again and triple the mass of Gordon. Regardless of what happens now, they all know he's not taking any shit from anyone.
Masters says, over his shoulder, “Right, Smithy, get the RSM. We'll settle this according to the rules.”
Gordon says, “Yes please, Private Smith, get the RSM for us.”
Masters stands there staring at Gordon, who turns and starts issuing orders to his crew to ready the tank for exercises after lunch. From the orders he's giving, they realise he knows what he's doing, even if he hasn't been near a tank before. When they get to a discussion about a particular part being OK or not, he looks at it and orders it replaced and is fast filling in the proper paperwork. One of the crew takes off to stores for a replacement part.
About fifteen minutes later the RSM and a few other NCOs (Non Commissioned Officers) arrive to see what the trouble is. They're surprised to see the size discrepancies. The RSM asks what limitations they want.
Gordon says, “What ever you and Masters want. I doubt he can touch me, so it's a non issue for me.”
At that point Major Barrington arrives, saying, “Not today, RSM. If these two want to fight, they can do it after the field exercises. I need Masters in his tank for the exercise, not in the hospital.” They all stare at him, as he's saying, flat out, Masters is going to be creamed. He turns to Gordon, “You won't object to a delay, will you, Corporal Mannheim?”
Gordon shakes his head, “No, sir, I don't. I don't really care about a fight, one way or another. I've more important things to do, sir.”
“Good, maybe I can convince Masters he doesn't need to get his arse kicked all over the place by a small boy.” Nearly everyone's openly staring at him now. Smiling, he says to the RSM, “On my last leave I was privileged to observe Sensei Mannheim's last competition bout. And Masters isn't in his league, not by a long shot.” Masters gulps, this boy's a Sensei. Most of the audience are now staring at Gordon.
Smiling, the RSM departs, he thinks Masters is going to let this ride. With his departure everyone else starts to move away, leaving Gordon and his crew in peace. The crew of Baker Three Three are starting to have a bit more confidence in their new commander.
Practice Sessions
After lunch they take the tank to the training fields and run through many standard exercises. Gordon gets a feel for how well and quickly the driver and tank responds to his commands. Half way through the afternoon they do some shelling practice. His target definitions and directions are text book perfect, easy to follow and spot on.
After several shots, he says, to the private working the gun, “Private Adams, how quickly can you get onto an angle and bearing?”
Adams replies, “Damn quick, corp. Why?”
Gordon responds, “I want you to practice firing, then changing the elevation to maximum for the reloading, and back onto target for firing. I know it'll slow you down a bit, but try it.” Shrugging, they do as told. It slows the rate of firing a bit, but not much.
Several rounds later, Gordon says, “Right, Landers, you take over here, I'll take the loading.” Now they can see the sense of elevating the gun. With it at maximum elevation the breach is at a height Gordon can load. They fire several rounds that way. He switches everyone through every position, to make sure they all can do all tasks. He can't, as he's too small for every other duty.
In the late afternoon he has the driver take them through the difficult terrain course. They come up to one river crossing where the tanks go down the bank at an angle. Doing this is slow and tricky.
Gordon stops them in the river and gets out to carefully measure the drop from the top of the bank to the river bed. It's only three metres. Unlike its predecessor, this particular tank's supposed to be able to take a four metre drop in its stride and without any damage or issues. After completing the course, he directs the tank back to the river crossing. He stops several metres away from the river bank.
Addressing the crew, he says, “Has anyone in the regiment closely examined the capabilities of the mark five tank?” They all shake their heads. “So you don't know the tank's full capabilities?” Again a shake of the heads. The driver says, “I know we can go faster and turn tighter than the mark threes we used to have. Why the concern?”
Gordon says, “I want you to drive at high speed towards the bank and drive straight off it. If we try to go straight down it we'll drop nose first and stick. But if we charge off it we'll drop at an angle of about twenty degrees. This model's designed to do just that and safely handle a drop of four metres. That bank's only three metres.”
Gulping, Landers says, “Mind if you try that with only Steele and yourself, the first time. If you got it wrong, someone'll be fit enough to call for the medics.” The rest are nodding their heads in agreement.
Gordon sighs, “Right. Everyone but Steele out.” A few minutes later, they're standing by and watching. “Understand the plan, Steele. Full throttle, straight off the bank.” Gulping, he nods.
The tank revs up and charges forward. Well, as best a tank can charge forward. It quickly reaches top speed. As it leaves the river bank edge the front starts to drop, but it hardly drops before the rear's off the bank and dropping as well, there's only a slight forward tilt to the tank during the fall. Even then, it starts to level out as the extra weight of the engine pulls the rear down faster. They hit the river bed and both are jolted about, but not harmed. The tank's purring away like normal. The rest of the crew quickly scramble after the tank and climb in. They head back to camp.
As they're giving the tank a full check to confirm it's OK, Gordon says, “Let's not tell anyone about our last exercise. Let's save it for a surprise during the exercises.” Their response is a set of wide grins.
The next day is all normal exercises for Gordon to get familiar with the tank's performance, and plenty of shelling practice for him loading with different gunners doing the laying.
Exercises
The exercises start as planned. The regimental commander's decided to add a little spice. He's heard about the little matter between Masters and Mannheim, so he's placed them on opposite teams. No one but the regimental and company commanders know both tanks are singled out to compete against each other in a sub exercise on the fourth day.
Before the exercises start, Gordon tells his crew, “OK, if anyone gets designated as out of action, clear your position and Landers will take over for you, unless I say otherwise. I'll drop down and take over loading. The only position this doesn't apply to is commander. In such situations, Steele, you make your own decisions on route, and Mailing, you select your own targets.” They all nod agreement, as that's the best way to handle it.
The first day is the standard platoon, company, and regimental exercises. Part of which is having the tank teams change positions, and have some designated as wounded. One exercise has Baker company crossing a field with each tank firing at a designated machine gun and cannon target, while the other company commanders are gathered with the colonel, watching how they perform. Major Barrington says, “Sir, I wonder how Mannheim's crew will deal with any injuries, he's a bit short for other tank duties, isn't he?”
Grinning, the colonel says, “Yes, he is, but I bet they handle it OK. And you'll get a lesson in thinking around a problem. I've seen that young man solving problems before.” He speaks to his radio operator, ordering an injury message be sent.
The signal comes through, 'Baker Three Three - driver wounded.' The tank starts to slow down as Steele leaves his seat; it's immediately taken over by Landers and returns to speed. Gordon drops down to load the gun. After firing the round just loaded by Landers, Mailing raises the elevation and Gordon loads the gun, he drops back to target and fires. Their rate of fire is a bit slower, but not the slowest in the company.
Up on the hill, Major Barrington says, “Well, I'll be damned. They've clearly practised that before.”
The colonel says, “Probably spent time at it yesterday. But it does neatly handle the problem you raised, doesn't it. Instead of the commander taking over the wounded spot, as is usual, the loader does, and the commander takes over loading, as that's the only other duty Mannheim can manage. That's got to be the fastest transition time I've ever seen. The tank hardly slowed in movement or firing. I think we should institute that as a standard procedure; the loader takes up the slack and the commander takes over loading.” They all see the wisdom of this, and nod agreement.
At the end of the first day, Baker Company's the best company and 3rd Platoon's the top platoon. This sets the tone of all the exercises.
Out of Order
On the third day, Baker Company's engaging in a company level combat with Major Barrington's company, Delta Company. In a large open field, they're approaching each other at an angle and firing special paint rounds. A hit on one of the few vulnerable spots on the tank shows a tank casualty. The two spots are the joint of the turret with the body and the tail. All tanks, of both companies, manoeuvre in a way to make such hits extremely difficult. The few that happen in the early stages are recognised, by all, as lucky shots.
The company with the least casualties at the end of the exercise period is the winner. Regardless of the outcome today, these two companies are the two top companies, as no one else has enough points. This will decide the order of first and second. Depending upon the platoon points, it may decide if Baker Three (Gordon's platoon) or Delta Five (Masters' platoon) is the top platoon.
Forty-five minutes into the exercise Captain Daniels orders a text book manoeuvre. This should force the major to withdraw in a manner that allows Baker Company to score a few hits. However, there's an unusual response to this tactic that can turn it around. If the major orders his force to close fast, they'll be into Baker Company and hitting them hard before they know what's happening. Gordon has worked out a counter to the unorthodox response, and it'll cut Delta to pieces if it happens. Gordon gets on the platoon circuit, saying, “Baker Three Four, Baker Three Three, whatever happens, stick to me like glue, maintain station at all times.” Baker Three Four's junior to Gordon and is his tag partner tank, like a fighter pilot's wingman, he follows his leader all over the place and covers his rear.
Up to now neither company's done any real damage to the other, despite the paint shells making the tanks look like impressionist paintings. The companies approach each other as normal. They reach the point they'd normally angle away. Captain Daniels gives the order to turn thirty degrees towards the enemy and close. Delta's on Baker's right, due to his inexperience as a tank commander, Gordon's on the end of Baker's column with only his tag tank behind him. This order has Baker closing on Delta at a sharper angle at a time they expect Delta to turn away. Major Barrington goes for broke as he orders Delta to turn hard left and charge full speed at Baker Company, any delay in responding will see them into Baker and blasting at their rears. What both company commanders are trying to achieve.
It's time for Gordon to throw his spanner into the works. On the platoon frequency, he says, “Steele, Baker Three Four, Baker Three Three, extreme hard right turn, go to full power. Fire for effect on any tanks in range. Ignore the next radio transmission.” And both these tanks turn and charge direct for the enemy lines at high-speed. He switches to the company frequency, “Flash priority, flash priority, all Bakers halt, hard spin ninety degrees right, fire for effect, fire for effect.” Flash Priority is an emergency command that demands immediate obedience. He's ordering the company to stop, turn hard right, and open fire in rapid fire at targets of opportunity. This will stop Baker Company in their tracks and have them laying down accurate heavy fire at the rapidly advancing Deltas while their own movement's making their return fire difficult. It also denies the Deltas a shot at the rear of the Baker tanks. At the same time, his orders to Steele and Baker Three Four has them racing to go around the flank of Delta to get at their rears.
On the hillside observation post, the colonel snaps, “Who issued the Flash Priority?”
His radio operator says, “Baker Three Three, sir.” Each radio sends a code with each signal, confirming who it's from. The colonel looks at the field and smiles, as he thinks, 'Major Barrington's about to get his arse kicked by a corporal.'
Baker Company comes to a screaming halt as it turns face onto the Deltas and starts pounding away at them. The lack of motion is paying immediate dividends as several fatal hits are scored on Delta tanks. The two Baker tanks under Gordon's direct command are rounding the end of the Delta line and pouring heavy fire into their tails. They're firing so fast and so accurately the umpires are having a hard time registering the hits and ordering the tanks off line. In only a few minutes, half of Delta company's out of action and Major Barrington's ordering the rest out, he'll take a beating getting out of this trap, but staying will mean total destruction. Through some brilliant defensive actions, he's able to extract twelve tanks out of the trap, leaving twenty-eight as designated destroyed. Baker Company is the top company and Third Platoon is the top platoon.
After dinner that evening, Captain Daniels sends for Gordon and thanks him for saving his company. They have a long talk about tactics. Gordon suggest several books on tank tactics for the captain to read.
At the same time, Major Barrington's with the colonel. He says, “Where the hell did Daniels dream up such a nasty tactic?”
Laughing, the colonel says, “It wasn't Daniels, it was a Flash Priority order from Baker Three Three that destroyed you. He expected your attack and prepared a response in advance. When you acted, he trounced you. Don't get too upset, Gordon has been trashing Granite and me at strategy games since he was six.”
The major's astounded, “You know the Mannheims that well?”
Laughing, the colonel says, “Young Gordon's my most interesting nephew. He's a different way of looking at things. And always tries to plan ahead for all contingencies, has since he was a toddler.”
Laughing, the major says, “Well, he sure caught me with my pants down, just when I thought I had Daniels.”
The colonel responds, “I'm willing to bet before Gordon moves on he'll give Daniels some hints on how to improve his strategic and tactical thinking. That'll make him a better officer.” They both nod. “And we best add that response of his into our regular tactical action book for future use.” Another nod.
As Major Barrington leaves the colonel's office, he thinks 'If Gordon Mannheim's this good now, what's he going to be like with some experience and further training? Probably be the youngest general in the Guards.'
A Masterful Execution
One of the exercises this day is for two tanks to go head to head in the forest and brush. Baker Three Three's to penetrate into the area, objective - to safely reach the opposition's flag point on the other side of the river and the combat area. They can do this by totally avoiding Delta Five Three or by locating and destroying Delta Five Three. Delta Five Three is to enter the area an hour before Baker Three Three and set up in a way to stop Baker Three Three from completing their mission. Umpires will ride along inside each tank.
While waiting to move out, Gordon's closely examining the maps with his crew and asking them questions about the terrain. They've operated in this area before. Although there's hundreds of ways through most of the forest, there's only three river crossing points. They have to choose one and use that. The three points are close to each other and anyone standing at one will hear a tank crossing the others. The middle one's the closest to the flag area. Anyone using the other two crossings will have to swing around and come back. Allowing the defenders to move over and cover whichever approach they use. The smart defence would be to set up an ambush at the middle crossing and listen for a tank crossing at either of the others. Moving out to intercept once it's crossed the river. The crew agree Masters is smart enough to work out that play.
The smart attack would be to find Masters and take him out. Assuming he's at the middle crossing, Gordon tries to work out where and how Masters would be set up and waiting for them.
The road for the middle crossing takes a very straight line from a road turn off on one side of the river to the old quarry on the other side of it. Sixteen kilometres between them with the river about half way along it. Because the road takes a straight line it doesn't cross the river at right angles like most roads do, it crosses at a sharp angle where the river bends in a 'S' shape. Both sides have a steep drop, except where a path down has been cut away. The far side is very flat with a gentle slope for a bit before the bank.
Steele knows the crossing well, and draws it out for Gordon. When a tank uses the road it comes down a tight chute on this side, has a nice wide flat river crossing up to the far embankment, followed by another tight chute to go up the ramp from the embankment. The river bends means there's a spot up river from the crossing where a tank can look straight down the river from the far side and up the far chute. It's within easy kill range of the tank's cannon. In response to further questions, Gordon learns the whole river is safe to drive along in the tanks, but the embankments are vertical, except at the three crossing points. Nor is it possible to get behind the hide out spot up river. Steele knows, as he was part of such a trap there three years earlier.
After examining the map for some time, Gordon says, “How big is the drop down to the river?”
Steele replies, “Only two two and half metres, why?” Suddenly he starts to smile, so do the rest. They've a special trick they can use.
Pointing at the drawing Steele made in the sand, Gordon says, “What if we came up along here, they'll assume we're headed for the southern crossing. They'll either pull out of hiding and head south or wait until they hear us cross down there. I'm willing to bet Masters will sit tight until he hears us in the water. So we come up to this point and drop over the bank into the river. We get under the bank on the other side and head up stream to the middle crossing. Keeping our nose up stream, we move to a point where the far side road chute's directly behind us. You back us out of the river and up the road. If he's still anywhere up stream of us he'll open fire and we exchange pleasantries. Once out of the chute, we drive like rabbits to the flag. Regardless of where they are, we'll have a kilometre or so head start. And they'll be starting cold engines.
They all nod their eager agreement, as this'll work. This exercise comes up every few years and is heavily weighted in favour of the defenders. It's designed to test the tank commanders' skills in a one on one action. No attacker's ever won an outright victory by reaching the flag. The points are usually scored on how well they conduct the running battle that usually ensues. The main point of the exercise.
The time to move out comes along. Gordon takes his time finishing his check of the tank and making sure everyone's ready. As he's about to move out, forty-five minutes late, Captain Daniels asks, “Why the delay, corporal?”
Gordon says, “This is a set play exercise. The longer he sits and spins, the more he'll get worried. Psychological warfare, sir.”
They drive slowly with Gordon sitting out of the turret hatch and giving everything a good check with binoculars before they move across any open ground. Their approach is not in line for either the middle or the southern crossing. Reaching the river at their intended point, Gordon closely examines the other side upstream now directly ahead of them. He orders the gun loaded and the crew back from it. They're ready to make their play.
Gordon turns to the umpire, “Major, you better grab a good hold of something and brace with your legs bent as if you're about to jump.” The major does as instructed. “When you're ready, Steele.” The tank surges forward and quickly reaches full speed, as it dashes across the remaining thirty metres. It charges straight off the river bank, to land in the river and surge upstream. They spot the other tank, and Gordon says, “Right, Mailing, take any shot you're happy with.”
Smiling, he fires and the distant tank's gunner's vision slit is covered in paint, it drips off, and leaves a blurred view. The next shot is to the commander's vision slit. They've no vulnerable points to aim at, but scoring hits on the other tank interferes with their own return fire. As they to charge upstream Gordon checks the bank behind them.
Suddenly, he says, “OK, Steele, ten degrees right.” The tank turns a little right as it moves forward. “Full reverse, five degrees left.” Angling a little more, the tank backs up at high speed. They leave the river and start up the road.
Finally, Masters fires, and the shell hits their strong frontal armour. Mailing continues to score hit after hit all over the enemy. Gordon concentrates on directing Steele up the road. At high speed, Baker Three Three backs into the enemy territory.
Masters starts up and leaves his safe spot. Going forward, he can move a bit faster than they can in reverse. However, he has nearly two kilometres to make up. For fifteen minutes Baker Three Three backs away from Delta Five Three, with both firing rapidly. Delta's covered in paint, while only three light hits have been made on the Baker tank.
They enter the flag area and Gordon directs Steele to drive right over the enemy flag. Stopping on top of it, he says, “Mailing, fire for effect. Steele, keep our nose pointed at that SOB.”
Baker Three Three sits on the flag firing at Delta Five Three at it's maximum rate. They score many hits all along its front and side. Delta Five Three only scores a few hits on Baker Three Three's front armour.
Eventually the umpires declare it over. They're not sure how to score the match as they've no points on the sheet for the attackers to drive over the flag. But, on the hit points scale, it's a clear win to the Baker boys.
Masters isn't happy. He complains to the umpire about their driving off the bank as cheating. The umpires find nothing in the rules or briefing requiring anyone to use any roads, so the trick's declared legal. Eventually they decide driving over the flag's the same as capturing the flag area as they have control of it. The first out right win for an attacker.
In the wake of the exercise wins all agree being a good tank commander doesn't require you to be good at any other duties in a tank. Gordon gets some very positive evaluations from his company and regimental commanders.
His reputation as a smart field commander with an ability to think outside the box starts to spread amongst the Raptors, and to the other Guards units. Masters is the only member of the regiment who doesn't think Gordon's a very good tank commander.