Ashes Of The Reich

Ashes of The Reich - Fall Weiss

This chapter takes place at the invasion of Poland, on September 1st, 1939. It’s brutal, gritty and full of gunsmoke.

The Polish forces hadn’t mobilised fully from pressure from France and Britain, fearing Hitler would take it as aggression and use it as a reason to invade.

The 46. Infantry Division, was in the 10th Army commanded by Reichenau, apart of army group south commanded by Von Rundstedt.

On september 1st, Hans and the 46. Infantry Division crossed the border, from upper Silesia, advancing towards Czestochowa.

Hans a young, and eager Leutnant of the German Army, haunted by nightmares of his younger brother Fredrick, who died in Hans’ childhood. He copes with Pervitin, having an addiction.

This is a story about a man who learns too late what it means to love, and to be loved.

Part One, The nightly accident.

Hans awoke on August 1st, 1939. He was a Leutnant leading a Squad now, not much has changed in his life. His guilt still lingers on his mind but he’s found ways to distract himself, secretly stealing Pervitin pills from the storage tent. Keeping him messed up often,

As he got up, he dressed himself and ruffled his hair to the side, not bothering to comb it. As he stood up and opened the tent flaps, walking out into the Crisp fresh morning. Chilly first thing, it was around 6AM. The soft creak of metal and engines rumbled as half tracks arrived, another division. Strange, as Hans listened to the birds slow tweet.

He walked towards his Squad’s tent. Today was going to be a somewhat busy day, they were going to dig a trench to prepare for any situation. As he made a small fire, using some small twigs and kindling already in his backpack, easily lighting the fire with a lighter.

As he unclipped his mess kit and took his steel pot out. Pouring some water in from his canteen, as he picked a metal box full of his Coffee, before putting 11 spoonfuls in, a strong black coffee. Obviously not for himself, for his Squad as well. As he sat down and waited for them to wake up.

He warmed his hands softly, rubbing them over the small fire as the coffee came to a boil, as the tent ruffled his squad, waking up slowly stirring awake.

Hans looked up at Gunther, his Assistant Squad Leader, a NCO. “Good morning, Gunther. Coffee?” He asked softly, giving him a warm smile. His men were like Fredrick to him, he felt a duty to protect them, his guilt of losing Fredrick was painful, it scared him, he didn’t want to fail him again, and losing his Squad. Like he lost his brother.

“Yes please, couldn’t go a day without Coffee. But sooner or later you’ll have to tell us how you get the real thing.” Gunther said, smiling back at Hans, he was 18 and a bit, although he passed training with above average qualities leading to him becoming an NCO, and Hans’ Assistant Squad leader, he was fanatic about the Reich but had that kindness to him, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

“A magician never reveals their greatest trick Gunther, I thought you of all people would know that.” Hans said with a soft chuckle, before pouring, taking his cup and pouring in a mug of coffee. “Hope you’re alright with it black, couldn’t be bothered to get the fresh milk from the field tent, was hoping Karl would be up by now, he’s always eager.” “Yeah, he’s tired from yesterday I think. Tried showing off for that nurse.” Gunther said chuckling, although was interrupted by the tent flap flipping open

“Just because I have more game than you Gunther, doesn’t mean you get to go around being jealous.” Karl said, a young man recently turning 18, the youngest of the group the kindest and always kept everyone happy. He was eager to impress and prove himself to the others that he was worth the time. “Do you want me to go grab the milk with breakfast?”

“I thought you’d never ask Karl, go ahead, I’ll make sure we celebrate your gracious return.” Hans said smiling, patting Karl’s back as Karl walked off towards the truck-towed mobile kitchen, “He’s a good lad, works hard.”

“Yeah, he’s trying to impress us, he wants a medal to show to his parents.” Gunther said watching Karl walk off, as Gunther went to the large bucket of water, scooping some up and splashing his face, trying to wake himself up more.”

“Good morning, lads.” Derrick said, walking out of the tent buttoning up the last of his buttons. “Rubbish weather today, huh?” He said furrowing his bow as he looked up at the sky, looking at the grey clouds.

Derrick was a simple private, used to rough living and cold temperatures from his time in the Hitler youth, he was more fanatic than the rest and would happily slaughter citizens.

“Hey derrick, go grab your MG Drums, we’re doing training today” Hans said, pouring a cup of coffee for Derrick, a right vile guy, drinking his Coffee Black, “Hey gunther, go wake the rest of them up I need to go get up.”

“Of course, Leutnant.” Gunther said standing up, a quick sip of coffee before he walked into the tent.

Hans walked away, going to the Feldbad, a mobile shower truck. Quite rare when on the move, but because they weren’t moving and had been here for some time it was fine. As he placed his Coffee, on the small soap tray, and placed his Tornister M34 on the rack behind him. Taking out his shaving kit, and soap.

He rumbled through it trying to find the photo of him and his brother, the only one. This was somewhere he could relax and just think about his Brother, as he placed the photo on a small shelf next to a small mirror, as he smeared some shaving foam across his face before beginning his shave, as he looked at the photo of Fredrick, as he held back a lump in his throat.

It still hurt to see him, but it was worse to see his face get blurry. After a few minutes he finished his shave, making sure he hadn’t missed a spot before turning on the shower. TIME SKIP

Hans changed into fresh clothes, having been able to wash his old clothes in the shower, as he got dressed into his dry spare clothes, he took his wet ones and walked out, his Tornister on his back, heavy. As he walked back to his tent about 30 minutes later, everyone was out and talking.

“I can’t get enough of this coffee, I still don’t know how he does it.” Otto says, pouring a splash of milk in his coffee that Karl had got.

“It’s worth it whatever he does, never knew how much I missed.” Karl said, smiling as he took a sip of Coffee. It was a rarity to have Coffee, but Hans always managed to get it somehow.

“Just make sure you’re grateful, it’s a rare gift, we’re lucky to have Hans.” Finn said, obviously looking up to Hans.

“Gentlemen, finish your meals and then we’re marching for 6 miles into the woods and then building a trench line. Finn, you’re on map duty, and gather weapons. Command wants each squad to do this, at least once. Whoever wins gets a good reward.”

“Like what?” Luka asked excitedly. As he took a fork full of stew.

“Shush, hurry up and eat Luka.” Gunther said, sternly as he began eating.

Hans took his mess tin full of a beef stew, one of his favourites. As he began eating, staring off into the distance, watching the sun raze and grey clouds start blocking the sun. As he did a quick clean after finishing his meal, he clipped it back onto his sack. “With me, we’re getting guns and ammunition.” He said walking to the small officers tent, making sure it was approved and knew they were taking the guns. The Major agreed, signed off and got them the guns and Ammunition.

“Reihe, on me and Finn. I want you to direct us, is that understood?” Hans said calmly, slinging his Kar-98 on his shoulder.

“I’m not good at.. Maps, Hans.” Finn said, looking down slightly, “Can’t Gunther do it..?”

“No.” Gunther replied quickly, chuckling to himself.

Hans didn’t chuckle at Gunther, something he’d usually do, strange. “That’s exactly why you’re doing it, Finn. You need to learn sooner or later.” Hans said sternly, taking out his Map from his bag, and giving it to Finn. “Six miles north. I want you to direct us next to theNeisse River. Now move.” Hans said looking down at his Trembling Hans, and nervous sweat. He was confused at first but soon realised he had forgotten his Pervitin. ‘I can go without it for a day’ Hans said to himself, ignoring his slight shake. “After you, Finn.”

Finn nodded softly, beginning to walk in the direction he thought was right, nervous. “This… This way, guys..”

Hans sighed, his hands trembling more, as he looked to shake off Gunther’s concerned look. “It’s nothing Gunther, don’t worry.” Hans said, marching forwards as Finn had gotten lost. “Finn, can you care to explain where the hell we are? We should see the river by now if we went the right way.” He said in an annoyed tone, rare for Hans, usually kind and trying to teach them properly.

“I’m trying okay..?” Finn said, trying his best to not take Hans’ words to heart. “We went of course by.. Half a mile, if we go a half a mile east, then continue north we should be there in about fifty minutes.”

“Late by..” Hans took out his pocket watch, checking the time. “Half hour. In that same situation half an hour could be the difference between getting to our own lines safely, or stumbling upon them captured by the Polish, leaving us in the crosshairs of machine guns and rifle fire.

“I understand..” Finn said with a heavy heart, knowing that this pretty much ruled him out of any promotions “I’m sorry, i’ll study it on our off time tonight.

“If you’re lucky enough to have time off, remember, one of us needs to be awake at all times, take watch for two hours each.” Gunther said, looking at Hans before back at finns. “Now let’s hurry it up.” He said before walking up next to Hans “What’s the matter, Hans? You’ve been shaking since we’ve left and you’ve not stopped sweating, I’m not an idiot.”

Hans sighed, looking at him as he continued to walk in a column, “I haven’t had a Pervitin all day.” He said slowly, looking to the ground slightly as if ashamed of his actions. “I know you always keep one or two on you for the late nights, care to spare?” Hans said as he tried to numb his own heartbeat, hearing it louder than his footsteps, the birds and twigs snapping was damp and quieter than usual.

“Jesus, you should get checked, Hans this isn’t good.” Gunther said, taking out a small pouch and taking out a handful of Pervitin pills. “Take them all, I don’t take them unless I have to.” Gunther said, before backing off.

Hans took them and mumbled off a thank you before quickly popping two, swallowing them with a shallow cough before walking up a bit to Finn. “Sorry, Finn. I just wanna make sure you learn it all.” He said putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “You’re only five minutes late if you speed up your pace, I was exaggerating.”

Finn smiled softly, “It’s alright Hans, I know.” He said increasing his pace, taking a small mouthful from his canteen. He was stressed but knew Hans was right.

Hans groaned, as his shivers began slowly coming to a stop. By the time they got to the designated area Hans wanted to, he wrote down the time and carved a small crow into the tree bark, below an axe symbol.

“This is the spot, dig a small trench line with enough room for us to sleep in and a campfire spot in the middle.” He said taking off his pack and gear placing it at the tree, as he crouched down taking out his Trench Shovel and designating a spot. “Here, start digging. Take off your packs, and Finn, grab the bucket off Derrick and get a bucket of water from the lake, then keep a small watch across the riverfront.”

“Of course Klaus did an axe, fucking idiot lost part of his pinki to an accident cutting wood.” He said chuckling, the carvings were a sign to the other squads that they were in the right spot.

The group nodded, placing their backs down and beginning to dig, finn getting water before he dropped the bucket, staring across at a Polish squad on the other side, as he called Hans quickly.

“Finns, what is it?” Hans said walking over before quickly unslinging his Kar-98. He stared at them with his rifle in his hands. “We aren’t starting a war, I can hardly deal with the stress of leading this Squad let alone being the one to cause the start of a fucking war.” He said, sighing “Keep an eye on them, keep your Kar close to you but don’t even think about aiming it.” He said, his eyes squinting slightly as the glint of their rifles in the sunlight directed into his eyes, as he watched the soft ripple along the river, as he listened to their distant voices.

He was no Polish speaker but it was pretty easy to tell they weren’t exactly calm. Neither was Hans, as he picked up the bucket and refilled it and brought it over to their trench line.

“We have poles across the river, nothing to worry about, they’re probably wondering what we are doing here, just keep digging and make sure that you guys are ready to keep watch, or well fight. But we aren’t starting anything.”

“Yeah sure we won’t start anything..” Derrick said, glancing at Hans. “They wouldn’t have time to contact anyone else if we mow them down with the 34..”

“No, we aren’t shooting anyone Derrick you dumb fuck, we aren’t causing a war.” Hans said staring back at Derrick, already well annoyed at him, although Derrick backed down upon realising Hans’ anger

As they all went back to digging apart from Finns, who kept watch. Hans however heard music coming from the Polish squad, as his ears perked and he thought, now that’s what he’d love. Some good German Tunes, as he stood up, and walked over to the edge of the river, and tried to speak some broken Polish “Radio, exchange.” He said trying not to say too much knowing it would sound ridiculous, as he held up the packet of Pervitin “uh-hm Perivtin!” He said as the Poles looked at him, gossiping to themselves in Polish before nodding their head, as Finn watched wondering what the fuck Hans was doing.

Hans smiled, “Finn get your ass here now and catch the radio.” He said, as Finn arrived he held up 3 fingers, “On Trzy.” He said as he raised his fingers, on Three both sides threw the exchange of goods, as Finn barely caught the Radio, and the Poles caught the bag of Pervitin, as he smiled and waved at them before taking the Radio off Finns, “Keep an eye on them, still.” He said going back up the small hill to the trench line, as he began working out the radio

“When did you learn Polish, Hans?” Karl asked, interested, as Derrick gave him a side eye, “Who cares, Karl. He shouldn’t be learning a subhuman language.” Derrick said with a burning passion in his voice.

As Karl went quiet, trying not to take Derrick’s harsh words in. “Enough Derrick, I know you love Hitler, but it’s not reason enough to be mean to Karl, we are a Squad, so shut your mouth and keep digging. And Karl I learnt it from my mother, she had a Polish friend.” He said grabbing his back and taking out a screwdriver, and turning the signals around forcibly. Before long, a German music station was playing.

“Woo, finally.” Hans said smiling as he turned it up louder before placing it near the trench “Come on lads, another half hour we’ll be singing along to some songs and sitting in a nice warm trench.” He said smiling as he listened to the music, before long rain began pouring down on the squad. As Hans sighed, as he looked down in the trench “That’ll do lads let’s just get it covered over.”

He said quickly grabbing their packs and throwing them down into the hands of Gunther who placed them down, as Gunther quickly began digging two small drainage ditches at the bottom of the trench to make sure that it wouldn’t flood, putting down some waterproof blankets over the dirt and mud creating a somewhat comfortable and semi dry floor.

As the rest of the squad began grabbing rocks quickly and placing the tarp over the Trench and putting the rocks and logs on the sides keeping it in place, as Hans went into the trench, with the radio placing it on the floor. “That’s some cold rain.” He said digging a small half circle at the front of the trench, before starting a small fire, but large enough to keep them warm. “Get Finns in here. Otto, your starting first watch, choose someone to wake up next, preferably not me.” He said, laying down and resting his head on his pack, as he tried to drift off to sleep, trying his best to ignore Fredrick’s face.

Hans awoke to being nudged at 11pm, having gone to bed at 9pm. “Hans, it’s your time to watch.” Karl said, with a small smile.

Hans grudgingly yawned, and sat up as he listened to the silent hum of the forest, rain dripping down onto the tarp and the small cracks of fire. As he looked at Karl “Rest well Karl, you deserve it.” Hans said, smiling back as he unpacked his Zeltbahn, and took out a small beanie, putting both items on before putting his Helmet back on.

He stood up, taking a cigarette from Derrick’s pack, before standing in the small uncovered area of the trench, watching across the river. Although he knew they wouldn’t attack, it’d be reckless and stupid and start a war that would cripple them. As he used his imco triplex (Lighter), as he took a long drag of the cigarette, as he leant against the trench wall listening to the soft hum of rain and wind, as he took a deep breath in, smelling the wet trees, wet grass and the cigarette smoke. It lingered, both a vulgar but ever so sweet smell to the nose.

As his mind drifted while he relaxed and leant up against the wall. His mind lingered on Fredrick, On Karl and his men, he was scared of what might happen to them. He couldn’t save Fredrick, but he could save them, couldn’t he? He asked himself, trying not to admit to himself that he was scared.

He couldn’t lose Karl, or any of his squad like Fredrick, he would protect them even if it meant his own demise. As he took out a book he was reading, about an Outlaw, a kids book but it was Fredrick’s, he couldn’t let himself let it go, as he read the kids book, it’s about an Outlaw that redeems himself, paying off his bounty and helping save the town and sheriff from a band of Brigands.

He envied the outlaw, he redeemed his actions with gunsmoke and violence. All he changed was who he shot, how is that redemption, he thought to himself. Reading a line about him promising to keep a kid safe as he sighed, clenching his eyes shut for a moment before throwing the book back in his pack. Taking another drag from the cigarette as he sighed, shivering slightly in the cold, and wet early morning.

His breath fogged in the cold night air, it was sharp. As he yawned again, both tired and annoyed at having to do this, there was no reason in hell that he’d have to train his men to dig a trench, they were one of the most active squads in training, mainly because Hans liked being distracted from Fredrick and guilt. As he rubbed his eyes as he stared at a pervitin pill in his pocket, as he nudged Derrick. “Do you still have that packet of pervitin? I need another nine.”

“Nrgh, yes why?” Derrick asked, sighing as he checked the time, it wasn’t even time for a watch yet.

“Good, I’m bored of sitting here for nothing.” He said grabbing Derrick’s pack and taking out the pervitin before waking up the group. “WAKE UP.” He shouted, as he passed each of them a pill each. “We’re going to dig in the trench, and leave it nice and flat for the next squad. Then we’ll take a nice slow detoured route home, I’ve been saving the last few paychecks for a nice old Pub, we’re going to Bad Muskau!”

The squads groggy annoyed groans turned into smiles and laughs. As they began packing up quickly. As Hans smiled back at them, listening to their small conversations as he began packing up his stuff, taking out his map and planning a quick course of action. As the group rushed to pack up, Hans watched Karl forget to pack his shovel, and rather than scolding him in front of the Squad he calmly walked up to him “Your shovel, Karl.” He said with a slight smile as Karl quickly thanked him and packed it up.

An hour later, they’d finished digging in the trench, as Hans double looked and made sure they didn’t leave anything behind before turning off his new radio and putting it in his pack “Right, twenty minute walk, to the west. I’m sure we can’t mess that up.” He said with a chuckle as he looked at the squad, smiling. minor time skip

They’d finally arrived at the small pub, another german squad was drinking although from a separate Regiment. It was clear they’d been here for some time as they were intoxicated, as Hans smiled, nodding his head to their Squad Leader, as he walked up to the Owner. “10 Pints of your finest Beer, please.” He said putting down a 10 reichmarks, “Keep the change, my friend.” he said before sitting on a table in the corner, “Now lads, don’t expect this every day because I might have some money but I’m not awfully rich, unfortunately i wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth” He said chuckling.

As the drinks arrived, Hans’ dread dropped a little, he knew that eventually they’d be a War, although unknowing how large or how long it would take he knew there was a good chance his Squad wouldn’t make it through it 100 percent safe. As he sighed, chinking their glasses together as they made casual conversation between sips and gulps of beer.

Although, it didn’t take long before the other squad felt interrupted by their drinking and began talking behind the backs of Hans’ and his squad. Karl, always eager to prove himself, spoke out loud “If you don’t shut your mouths, I swear.”

Hans looked at Karl, as he rested his head in his hand, all he needed was his squad to come back bruised and bloody and they’d know he wasn’t at the trench all night. “Karl, enough. Leave them be, it’s clear they’re intoxicated.”

“And who are you to speak to us like that, you’re from the 46th right? Well, we all know the 26th won the recent prize for best Regiment. One of the other members spoke up, on the other table. “I heard the 46th did the worst out of the lot, probably too busy wanking each other off.”

Hans sighed, as he went to get up and calm it down, Derrick with his tempter decided to ‘finish’ it for Hans, as he threw a glass across the room at them. And before Hans could even swear there was a quick fight ensuing, Glasses were shattered, chairs thrown and wacked on each other. As Hans backed away slightly, knowing that if he got started he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back.

Although when he saw someone beating on Karl it threw Hans into a rage, as he shoved the man onto the floor roughly and began pummeling punches onto his face, hard and gritty. He only stopped after Gunther and Otto pulled him off, as he stared down at the Soldier, face now bloody and probably a broken bone. “He got what was coming to him.” Hans said, his tone sharp and vengeful, as he threw another note of Reichmarks at the bar owner, not bothering to apologise “Let’s go.” He said, his hands shaking, knuckles bloody.

The squad nodded, and followed him out as they started the slow walk back, apart from his knuckles Hans was relatively okay, only having got a couple punches in the stomach which he could handle, Gunther had a bloody nose, and a couple scrapes on his hands but was fine,

Karl sighed and looked down at his dislocated finger, Derrick held his nose as it bled, Otto was relatively fine, he stayed out of it and finished his beer with a heavy sigh, Albert, always the young protector helped Finn, resulting in a chair hitting his back. Finn had red marks on his neck as he’d been choked, he laughed about it but the way his hands shook told a different story.

Luka had bloody knuckles like the rest, but wiped the blood on his shirt without a care, Noah got a graze on his face, already blooming into a bruise as he complained loud enough to annoy the whole squad, about how his “handsome face” was ruined, Theo ended up with a black eye but kept quiet and stared at the road ahead.

“Hans, that was half a month’s rent you threw at him.” Karl spoke up quietly, as he looked down at his own mangled finger,

“Good job you weren’t paying then, huh?” Hans said chuckling softly, “Don’t worry about it, if anyone asks what happened just say some rowdy Jews tried to attack us, don’t mention it was a german squad otherwise we’re all fucked.”

“Of course Hans, thank you.” Karl said, appreciating Hans stepping in and helping him as he patted Hans on the back, with his good hand.

Hans smiled, not replying because Karl knew that Hans would do it again for him. “Let’s get to the nurses office, she hopefully won’t mind being woken up.” He said, feeling vile for blaming the assault on Jews but knew there wasn’t another option without risking him being demoted and his squad being in trouble. He was afraid of how quick the violence came to him but moved on from it.

End of Part 1.