“I need to know what’s happening. Is there nothing on the ground at all?”
“Nothing, mon Général.”
‘Crazy… totally crazy…’
A voice called D’Estlain’s name and he sprang to the signaller’s side.
“Sir!”
Knocke moved over and received the report straight from the signaller’s mouth.
“Sir, our kameraden in the 78th Sturm Division report being under ground attack… tanks and infantry to their front.”
The 78th Division was the southernmost unit in the lines of the German Republican Army and butted right up to the French, namely Camerone.
“Details?”
“Sketchy, mon Général. Reports say enemy tanks fighting at Maruszów and Dębno.”
Camerone’s commander moved to the map, which carried some of the latest information.
“I don’t know what we face…and I won’t over commit… but we do know we have enemy here so… we will assist our kameraden in the 78th. Have Uhlmann prepare to move his 2nd Battalion up to Czyżów Szlachecki on my order. Issue the same instructions to 5th Regiment and 1st Pionieres. Both reserve battalions, less one company, plus one company of the pionieres. Contact artillery and have them move to support a counter-attack towards the river crossing point at Annopol. I want a blocking force to move up and make sure nothing comes over the river at Piotrowice. Uhlmann will have a secure flank, clear?”
“Oui, mon Général.”
“I’m going to speak to Generalmaior Geissler and coordinate. We’ll need to stay in close contact with his headquarters throughout.”
“Sir! Sir!”
Another operator waved his hand, attracting the duty signals officer as well as D’Estlain.
“1st Regiment reports that their 3rd Battalion at Kobierniki is under artillery fire, Sir.”
Knocke leapt back to the map table.
“There’s no reports of ground attack, except on our friends of the78th. Now we have another barrage starting, but delayed. Why?”
“Poor planning?”
“Possible… but their artillery are damn good. Something else?”
D’Estlain perused the map.
They both stood back whilst more information was added, and hoped to see something that made sense.
D’Estlain posed himself a question.
“No air activity over us… none…”
“That’s strange… but possibly not so. They’re outclassed in every department… plus our radars have the technical advantage. Plus, a sky full of artillery shells is not a healthy environment for airplanes.”
“True.”
A runner moved forward with a message pad and handed it to the Frenchman.
“Merde alors!”
He checked the details off on the map.
“Mon Général. We have a report that the target ranging platoon of 1st Artillerie has been wiped out by some sort of stealth attack. Men dead and equipment destroyed. There are three Soviet bodies in the area.”
“That settles that then. Message to all commands. Infiltrators behind our lines. Take appropriate action. Get a warning off to Corps, 78th Division, and Alma immediately. Tell Uhlmann to hold position for now, but be ready to move on my orders.”
“Immédiatement, mon Général.”
“Oberführer, another report from 1st Regiment.”
Knocke read it with growing concern.
‘More artillery fire… south of Mściów… this simply doesn’t make sense… where’s their ground forces… is what’s attacking the 78th all they have or is…’
“Mon Général, reports of ground fighting at Podszyn. Sketchy details… trying to get more information for you.”
“Quick as you can, Colonel.”
He moved over to the main switchboard.
“Get me Corps Headquarters at once.”
The man went through the normal routine, and Knocke was seriously impressed with the legionnaire’s calm and steady voice and manner.
“Sir?”
He took the offered handset, stretched the cable across to the situation map table and filled Lavalle in on the rapidly unfolding situation.
In turn, Lavalle was able to tell him that the attack was not localised, and that numerous other points along the Allied line had been similarly hit, mainly, it seemed, on joints between national armies.
The British and Polish lines met on the Baltic and on the old Lithuanian border. Both had been attacked.
The junction of German and Polish armies in Northern Poland, and the French and German armies in southeastern Poland.
The Austrian and American hinge south of Vienna had also been heavily bombarded, as had some US positions opposite Vienna itself.
At least six separate points of attack, supported by behind the lines attacks that seemed target radar and AA units in particular.
The possibility that might mean paratroops was obvious, and Allied deployments reflected a response to that threat.
Lavalle understood Knocke’s wish to hit back, and agreed a limited counter attack, aimed at relieving the pressure on the 78th and restoring positions back to the Vistula.
Knocke had the order immediately passed to Uhlmann and the infantry, and Camerone went back to war again.
0213 hrs, Saturday, 15th March 1947, Headquarters of the Red Banner Forces of Soviet Europe, Brest Litovsk, USSR.
“In the name of the great whore, shut the fuck up! I’m awake!”
“Comrade Marshal! They’ve attacked!”
“What? Is this some fucking joke?”
“No, Comrade Marshal. We have numerous reports, from Austria to the Baltic. Enemy artillery fire followed by the movement of ground forces.”
“Aircraft?”
“No great incursions as yet, Comrade Marshal, but aircraft on both sides are engaging as we speak.”
“Have the staff assembled immediately. Go!”
The Lieutenant Colonel almost flew from the room in his haste, leaving Vasilevsky to climb into his uniform as fast as he could.
“Bastards… the fucking bastards… I’ll make them pay for this!”
The briefing commenced as soon as the Commander of the Red Banner Forces of Soviet Europe arrived.
It told of an unprovoked attack on six points along the Soviet lines, supported by artillery.
Now there was also evidence of aircraft excursions over Soviet territory, as the first reports of bombing came through.
Contact had been lost with a supply flight and escorts, heading for Berlin, which itself remained strangely quiet.
The Marshal listened impassively, although his anger rose inside.
‘We’d stopped, you sons of whores! Retreated! There was peace! PEACE! Why are you doing this, you bastards?’
He suddenly realised that the briefing had stopped and all eyes were looking to him for orders.
“Comrades, we will respond to this unprovoked attack. Order all Army reserves to stand by for movement orders. Air forces on standby for offensive missions, but to conduct defensive and covering missions immediately. We will carry the battle to these treacherous bastards and make them wish they’d stayed at home! Get me information, Comrades, Get me information!”
“Urrah!”
The spontaneous cry leapt from many lips and the staff got down to the task.
Malinin waited for his orders.
“Well Comrade… this is a shitty deal, is it not?”
“Yes, Comrade Marshal. I really thought… well… you know…”
“Didn’t we all? Anyway, now we have to manage this and push the capitalist bastards back. I need to speak to STAVKA immediately. Find me some offensive options quickly.”
Malinin went about his business with studied calm and efficiency as the telephone rang in Moscow and the leaders of the Soviet Union became aware that they were at war again.