The Troops In those late summer days 110th Infantry Platoon seemed like some kindergarten. Or at least like college excursion. All 4 companies were sunbathing with exception of the mortar section, which was sleeping in their bunks. They hate heat, and when you fire hundred of 82mm mortar shells it really gets hot around. They hate winter as well, having to dig in weapons inside the frozen ground, jacking around with the guns. That can really spoil all the fun.
Cpt. P. was happy to see the men laughing, making jokes with each other, talking about women, telling fishing stories. They seemed completely normal and calm. However, two platoons were lost in operation Kosovo Sunrise, almost completely. Headquarters had to push in infantry elements at the gates of Urosevac. If it wasn’t for 69th Armored Battalion entire 110th would be lost. They marched in with the tanks and served as the shield for pulling out the infantry. Nasty business. Squad Commanders were all middle age men. Most of them fought in 1999., they are hard combat experienced men, very smart and above all very brave. They had one very bad habit though: no plan was good enough. After some nasty business around the Gnjilane they were repeating, like some sort of kids, after every single plan, “it’s not good enough”. Even though, when in combat, they would see to make it happen. Never they have abandoned the orders or pretended anything. If it was very hard, they would just report in: we are waiting here until you bring us reinforcements. But they have never retreated. Never. Or left any of their soldiers lying wounded on the no men land. “Gather up you sorry asses, we have new orders.” “Oh P., don’t tell me: we will have to do parade in the middle of Pristina and then spend entire week in the broads?” “Shut up Laki, won’t happen any time soon. And you know it well. Take a seat, I have to explain to you what kind of bullshit out High Command got us into.” “I knew we had these commodities for too long now.” “Listen me up men. In four days we will conduct combat recon in certain area, sketch up enemy troops and find out what’s their objective and get the hell out of the dodge before we get hot shit slipping down our necks.” “Her, that “certain area” is not Albania by any chance P.?” “I knew you are smart ass in this entire platoon Mrcho, I just knew it. Yeah, our objective is to enter Albania.” “I told you P., I should have been general by now. So, which squad gets proud duty to die for king and country?” “All.” “Egh?” “All, whole shebang, all of us will go.” “But P., why?” “We will enter area of Tropoja in Albania. We got to do it very quiet and careful. Mortar company, along with the elements of 4th company will take position on the hill 988., take it, hold it and in case of need cover the retreat. Not under any circumstances they may even fart loud enough to let Albanian thugs know we are there. You got that Mrcha?” “Easy-Peesy man, consider it done.” “Three remaining companies will continue towards Tropoja. Right here our intelligence spotted enemy concentrations. Our task is to check out what are they doing in there. For that job we will have to work out “slime slingshot” plan.” “Her, sir, I am new here, what’s “slime slingshot” plan?” “Well I will explain it simple. One company designated “slime” will get several prisoners, as much as we can. Second and third company, named “slingshot” will remain quiet in the east and west. As soon as the slime got the bitches they will hit the pedal to the metal and run away to the north-east. In the same time slingshot on the west will occupy enemy attention by firing and blowing couple of enemy vehicles to the pieces. They will at once move out to the north and then to the north-east. Slingshot east will then fire up, confuse the enemy and dodge to the east. That way, slime’s got the prisoners, slingshot hit the enemy with spit rock straight to the kisser leaving him wondering where are we. Understood Zvonko?” “Sir yes sir!” “As soon as we hit the road and reach here, checkpoint Avala 2, mortar company along with remaining infantry company will have to get the hell out of the area before entire Albanian army reach them. We have to cross through heavily guarded area and reach checkpoint Kosmaj-A that same morning. First company will be forward recon and on point. I need veterans up there who will remain cold and calm. If the enemy discovers us before we reach Kosmaj-A our task is to retreat immediately. Do you guys understand that? Immediately. Codename for operation is Stojadinka. Prior to our incursion our artillery will pound enemy positions north and south of our breach. Are there any more questions?” “Ah yeah P. What if the enemy discovers and cuts off the slingshot or slime?” “If that happens we will have to handle it ourselves. Remember: our army will not come to assist us. We will have limited support from our air force but that’s not yet final. Is that understood?” “Yeah man, clear as a baby ass.” “Alright, rock and roll boys, inform your companies about the pending shit and tell them to keep the mouth shut. One wrong word and we can hit the ambush. Move out, I will settle up all necessary equipment and OOB-s.” Looking them all going to the companies they commanded Cpt. P. saw how this short summer holiday vanished in a second. No more jokes, no more laughs. All those officers are now dead serious; they understand where this entire unit is going and what must be done. Danger on every single step. |
