Page 65 - 100 Hours to Destiny

extremely powerful. Delta sat on the edge of its seat praying that the tank
was not going to take out Captain Pollard.
The vehicle Commander of African Queen burst over the net with his
report, “Delta 6 be advised that is a dead T62, I repeat, that tank is dead. We
can see the turret is moved to the rear quadrant of the vehicle, apparently
this tank has been hit by prior airstrikes. We see two crewmen near the tank
that are dead, or at least appear to be so.”
“Roger Queen. Solid copy. The tank is apparently fizzled.”
“Delta Company, Delta Company, be advised we conclude that this
tank is one of the stragglers from OP4 trying to escape and was hit by air
assets on January 29 or could have been on the 30th. Delta 6 will leave Silver
Two and African Queen as overwatch, as we proceed and pass by the enemy
victor. No Delta asset is to engage for any reason whatsoever unless you are
called upon to do so. Are we clear Delta?”
“Roger that Skipper. Aye-aye Sir. Solid Copy.” Came various
responses of the Marines of Delta.
“OK Delta, with all of that said, forward March!” and 24
turbocharged diesel engines began to rev up and push 14.5 tons of steel per
each vehicle forward. Delta was again on the roll. As the train of vehicles
passed by the danger from the confirmed dead enemy tank, SSgt Metcalf of
the recovery vehicle was the last in line.
“Delta 6, Delta 6, this is Delta 10. We are 100 meters passed the
danger point moving north at the end of Delta Company.”
“Roger. Solid copy, Delta 10. Silver Two, Silver Two fall back into
position in the column. African Queen do the same. Stand down overwatch
and return to your prior positions.”
“Silver Two Copy.”
“African Queen Copy. Falling back in as ordered.”
The incident of Captain Pollard firing his 25mm chain gun into an
enemy victor was exciting yet alarming. Just knowing moments before, our
Commander found himself suddenly more or less point blank with an enemy
tank, would alarm any troop. “Out in front, just as he said, leading by
example. Rock, that brave S.O.B,” I thought to myself. I needed a breath of
fresh air and wanted to come out of the down driver's position of the
logistics vehicle.
“Gunny, I’m requesting to pop up and catch a breath of fresh air. I
want to drop back about 35 meters from the XO’s vehicle and stay out of his
dust trail as we traverse along.”
“Roger that Witch, not a problem. Do it. Take five and let’s get you
back down for safety.”