The Patriot (30 page)

Joshua said I take it you want us somewhere on this side. Right son, Goldie said, take your men ahead on this road till you reach the unused gate about a mile from here. Unload there and deploy them on the east side of the runway inside the base perimeter fence. Stay well back from the landing strips and position them along the perimeter from the north end of the runways to the south ends of the strips. Remember they could arrive before or around dusk, so keep the men down and out of sight until I give the order to engage. Joshua said you be careful dad then turned to his driver and said lets get moving.

Goldie Contacted Richard and advised the men are taking up their positions and we’re on our way in to your office. As they approached the main gate they were met by the Captain and two of his men who accompanied them to their headquarters where Richard and others were seated around a communications center with several screens going at once. The men came to their feet and Richard completed introductions. Randolph took Goldie’s hand and said glad to see you again top kick, but sorry it had to be under these circumstances. Goldie said never thought we would ever be on opposites sides from Sheridan but times and people change. Wilson said lets hope he sees the light and is still man enough to admit it.

Richard laid out a base map and asked how are your men positioned? Goldie showed the others where his three divisions were deployed then added, We will be with Tim’s men near the hangers and revetted area. If they drop in on the south side we can reinforce your men within minutes. Meanwhile we will have them boxed in if they come in anywhere in the runway areas or north of the base. Randolph said well done friend like always you are prepared to move. We had our chef prepare a light snack if you would care to join us before returning to your units. The men sat for some time enjoying the ham and cheese sandwiches, hot chocolate, and colas and discussing events on the eastern and southern fronts. Richard was confident all was going according to plan on both fronts despite the news commentators slant on things. Finally Goldie said gentlemen it’s time we rejoin out troops. We will keep the lines open should you have information for us. Richard said take care gentlemen we’ll see you after this fight is over.

Outside they got into their vehicle and had the driver take them to the forward area. After checking in with the smaller unit commanders they walked the short distance to the revetted area where the division commander had positioned himself. All was quiet and no one could be seen moving around. Mac contacted James then Joshua and confirmed all were in place and waiting for things to develop. Mac said it will be dusk in another hour. Unless there was a change of plans they could be getting here anytime now. Goldie said they will time things so the foot soldiers strike first to draw attention away from the drop zone. Mac said I think you’re probably right about that.

A half hour had passed before firing broke out on the south side of the base. Goldie said right on time and pulled the bar back on his weapon and locked a round in the chamber. A plane was heard coming in at a low level barely two hundred feet off the ground and chutes began opening as it passed over, followed by a formation of planes at a higher altitude. Then many troopers could be seen falling from the sky as another formation of planes came over dropping their men. Goldie had Joshua and James on the radio and told them, hold your fire, Wait until I give the command. They are dropping too far out, we want them to move in closer to our sector. When you hear Tim’s units open up order your men into it and give them hell.

Mac said I hope they fall for it and think all the defenses have moved south to meet that threat. Goldie said he counted twenty planes, that’s equal to six thousand light troopers. They could see the soldiers now at a distance moving towards their positions. Mac said here comes the rest and another formation of twelve planes came in low dropping their loads as they passed over. That’s another thirty six hundred men so they have ninety six hundred men now on the ground. Not a shot had been heard and Mac said the men are following orders staying down. The enemy was now only a few hundred meters away and out in the open when Goldie gave the order to commence firing. Immediately Tim’s companies opened up from the hangers and revetted areas, at the same time firing began from both flanks.

Damn Goldie said, they haven’t got a chance. The poor devils are trapped getting it from all sides. Bodies were scattered everywhere as the airborne troops tried to fight their way out but there was no way out for them except to try to retreat back the way they had come. As they fell back Goldie ordered James and Joshua to maintain contact with the enemy with harassment fire while Tim‘s company will keep driving them north. Goldie said Tim, order your commander to pull his troops out from the hangers and keep up the attack. Drive them north until they surrender or are no longer a threat to this base. Have your other companies remain here in case the southern line needs help. Once the orders were given the companies began pursuing and attacking driving the enemy northward from the base.

The fighting continued throughout the night and morning. By midday the sounds of exploding grenades and small arms fire from the south side of the base indicated that battle line was moving further away from the base and the northern lines had moved several miles north of the base. Goldie said Lets take a walk and see what Richard and the others have to say about the actions. As they entered the headquarters building they found the group standing at the windows watching the signs and sounds of the fighting. Wilson turned and grabbed Goldie’s hand and said they made a mistake thinking we wouldn’t be ready for them and your men are teaching them a lesson. Randolph said it looks like the paratroopers are on the run looking for a way out. And the infantry are all but finished on the south as well.

Mac said all they have to do is throw up a white flag and this can stop. Can you contact either field command and ask for their surrender, our people don’t want this to continue. A lot of decent men are dying that may not have too if they will signal they are finished. Randolph advised we have our people trying to contact them now for that very reason, but their command may not be intact. Finally the captain announced we have made contact with the senior commanders of both regular units and they are prepared to surrender. The airborne command have ordered their forces to cease all hostile activity.

Goldie said advise them they are to lay down their arms and assemble their troops in company sized formations in clear view. Notify your commander the enemy has agreed to surrender, I will advise our commanders of the same. He contacted His unit commands and advised Tim, James, and Joshua of the airborne commands surrender. See that they comply with the terms which requires them to lay down all arms and assemble in company formations in clear view.

Moments later James and Joshua called in to report we have the situation under control here. The regulars have given up their weapons and are seated in formations under our control. This battle is over. Goldie ordered, have your men recover all weapons, then escourt the prisoners back to the airstrip. Let them collect their dead and wounded as they move to the base. The Captain issued the same orders to the southern forces. All firing had ceased on both fronts. Mac said what will we do about all the dead and wounded, the airborne unit lost half their troops on the airstrip in the first few minutes. It was pretty bad to see that happening. Wilson said after we have them all back here together and care for the wounded we’ll have to work out someway to get them home. Richard agreed, once they have all been assembled here we’ll talk to their command and arrange something, for now we may as well go out and wait for them to come in.

Goldie reached over on the counter and picked up a can of Pepsi saying, I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m going to take one of those cold Pepsis with me. Mac laughed and this time it was Wilson who said there’s no hope for him, he’ll never change. They all walked out into the parking area laughing as they went. A few moments later Tim and his medical teams came walking into view. They walked over to meet them and Goldie looked at the number of wounded and those who had fallen and asked, are these all your losses. Tim answered no, these are all the wounded and my losses, but James and Joshua are bringing their lost ones in. Medics were coming out of the hospital now and Richard said have your men assist all those who need help and any others who need care over to the hospital. Randolph has things set up over there in the assembly hall where your fallen comrades can rest. Everyone worked together and soon all had been carried across the park into the hall.

An hour later a long line of airborne troopers some carrying their fellow men others helping the wounded came into sight walking across the landing areas guarded by a company of militia. Randolph choked and then caught himself and said God forbid that this ever has to happen again. Soon James and Joshua’s units came into view following the regulars. They too were carrying their lost and helping their wounded. Goldie ran across the park to greet his sons and enjoy the moment that comes from knowing a loved one was safe. Then he showed them where to place those who were lost, and had the wounded helped to the hospital.

By evening all the seriously wounded, friend and foe alike, had received medical care and all but a few were able to return and rejoin their units. Goldie asked his commanders for an accounting. Tim said we have lost seventeen men and have sixty one wounded who will all recover. James reported he had lost twenty nine men and had fourty two wounded all are in good shape. Joshua, whose units had taken the worst of the initial attack reported we lost fourty one men. We have another thirty two wounded, all will live to fight another day. Mac said, eighty seven patriots gave their all this day, let us hope they will be remembered for their sacrifice.

Wilson asked the medics have all the regulars been treated and returned to their units, and was advised they have been. Then we need to get an accounting from the commanders of their units. Joshua advised our company commanders are completing that process now. James said all their dead have been secured in the building adjacent to the assembly hall. We did not put them in the hall with ours. Once the commanders complete their count we will take their reports. An hour later company commanders from James and Joshua’s units appeared bringing the airborne commanders out of the building. It was a solemn group that came and stood before Richard and the others. One full colonel with two Majors and a light colonel. The commander of the airborne division was asked what is the status of your command. The colonel, barely able to speak replied; I was given a command of twelve thousand men. Of that I have eight thousand walking, three thousand six hundred seventeen are deceased, and three hundred seventy wounded.

Richard said colonel we are going to go inside and contact your superiors, but first order your officers to march their troops into that green building across from that pond. That is the gymnasium where you and your troops will stay until a decision is made concerning their future. The colonel gave his majors the order and once the troops were moving into the gym they took the colonel and all retired to the offices. Once inside Richard asked the commo people to get the Fort Campbell post commander on the dish communications network. He looked at the colonel, we will allow you to advise your boss of your situation. The Captain said we have made connections and the post commander should be on momentarily.

A group of officers and civilian administrators could be seen talking then all was quiet as the commander, a two star general, walked into the room. He spoke with his aides then was seated. Richard told the colonel, Introduce yourself to the general then advise him of your situation. Read and speak only what has been written for you to say. Once the colonel had spoken and read the message the general and all those assembled looked stunned. A civilian administrator asked where are our soldiers being held and when will they be released. Richard handed the colonel another note and said read. The colonel began to read saying, arrangements have been made by our captors. Two commuter trains have been promised by trans world railways. We are told they will be made available tomorrow morning after which we will be permitted to board and return to the post. I am told our dead and wounded will accompany us. With that Richard closed the communications channel and ordered the colonel returned to spend the night with his men.

As the colonel was being secured the militia forces begun returning with the remnants of the infantry brigade carrying their dead and wounded. Wilson ordered the living and walking wounded be secured in the gymnasium with the airborne troops and the dead secured with the airborne dead. The colonel was ordered to give an accounting of his force. The colonel responded my command consisted of thirty five hundred men, of those eight hundred survived. I have two thousand three hundred deceased and four hundred wounded. Once done the commander was brought to stand before Richard and his command staff. Then he too was permitted to advise the Fort Campbell command of his situation. He too was advised a commuter train would be returning them back to their home fort then he was secured with the others.

Once all the enemy combatants had been secured Richard told Goldie our people can take care of matters here now. Have all your troops assemble here and transportation will return you to your homes. With that the men commenced to load their fallen members into the trucks and soon all was ready for the trip home. Goldie told Tim and his sons you guys go on home with your men. Call me later and let me know when arrangements are made for those we lost. After the last truck had pulled out Richard turned to Goldie and Mac and all their old squad members and said you men go on home now we’ll be in contact.