Captain Brian Haworth, the Adjutant, started the brief. “You all know that the big show is to kick off tomorrow, so this is the final briefing. Just to reiterate, I will go over the big picture, before the OC goes over your individual missions.”
He ran his pointer along the A2 that ran northwest from Rinteln to Bad Nenndorf, in between the 300-metre-high Buckeberge to the west, and the Suntel and the Deister to the east. “This is the route 33rd Armoured Brigade will take. Their primary objective is Bad Nenndorf. Along the route, Special Forces and volunteers from 24th Airborne Brigade, will carry out sabotage missions and act as blocking forces. We have a Bundeswehr territorial battalion, attached to the Division that will dig in around Hessisch Oldendorf to protect the Brigade’s right flank. For the left flank, the 4th Parachute Battalion has been attached to 4 Div and will secure Rinteln and Buchholz. The Brigade, once they make their way across the Weser, using two crossing points west and east of Rinteln, will charge up the A2 at speed. The Royal Highland Fusiliers will hold Apelern and Lauenau while the 1st Battalion Black Watch secure Bad Nenndorf. As for the Royal Scots, what they do will be very dependent on the enemy reaction and the success of the attack.”
“They will have the option of pushing through to Wunstorf, attacking the Soviet units withdrawing from the area of Petershagen, or even head for Hanover, coming up against 20th Guards Army forces,” added the OC.
The adjutant continued. “Now, closer to our sector of interest. 11th Brigade will cross here.” He pointed to two crossing points, one in between Hameln and Fischbeck, the second near Tundern. “Once across, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment Fusiliers (1RRF) will pass through Fischbeck, then swing east, skirting the high ground, passing through Hofingen and Potzen, travelling south-east until they reach the 217 before going north towards Bad Munder. The 3rd Royal Tank Regiment (3RTR) will head at all speed for Springe. Sir?” The Adjutant looked at the OC who took over the briefing.
“Our battalion’s role, although piecemeal, is critical to the success of the mission. B-Company will seize and hold Coppenbrugge, C–Company, with Support-Company and the Battalion HQ, will hold the crossroads at Hachmuhlen, while we have been given Bisperode. We can’t work on the assumption that the Soviets will just roll over and die,” he admitted with a smile. “We first have to push through; then be prepared for any counter-attack. Our Brigade has been reinforced by the 4th (V) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rangers. They will be our reserve. Depending on the success of the initial attacks, 20th Armoured Brigade will be committed along whichever axis is proving to be the most productive, the idea being to cut deep into the enemy forces and disrupt their formations. If we can confuse them enough, we may be able to build on that attack. Another Brigade is being formed as we speak, using Territorial units from the UK. The 8th Queen’s Fusiliers, 5th Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, from 49th Brigade, who now have the 6th Battalion as a replacement. 4th Battalion, The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment and the 3rd (V) Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales.” He paused for a moment.
“A bit of a mouthful, I know,” he smiled. “They will help shore up 3 Div, which will allow them to release 4th Armoured Brigade should an opportunity to press further attacks arise. The 5th Airborne Brigade is also on standby. The situation is not as dire as it was yesterday.”
He moved aside slightly so he wasn’t obscuring the two photographs pinned on the board.
“I managed to acquire these from the PI boys, taken by a flight of our Harriers yesterday. You can spend some time familiarising yourself with them later, but for now come in as close as you can.”
The soldiers shuffled as close they could, some peering between the heads of others. Two large black and white aerial photographs showed the village of Bisperode and the surrounding area.
“Bisperode. Sounds like it’s right out of a spaghetti western.”
The assembled group laughed at the OC’s joke.
“There aren’t many of us,” he continued. “So how we allocate our forces is crucial to defending our sector. We’ll have the Hasselburg to our right. It’s—”
“Two hundred and ninety metres, sir.”
“Thank you, Brian. On our left, we have another piece of high ground, nearer 400 metres in some areas. Between the village and the high ground, on both sides, it’s open space, agricultural fields — a gap of about 1,500 metres to the west and 750 to the east. About two kilometres to the south, there’s a crossroads. The 425, west to east, crosses the two sections of high ground, and the 588 passes through Bisperode, south to Halle. I want eyes on that crossroads, not only to give us a warning if the enemy is on its way, but we can also warn the rest of the Division if the enemy moves south-west. Then there are tracks over the high ground each side of us.”
He turned and locked eyes with Sergeant Kirby. “I will use your three Scimitars for that. Any problems with that, Sarn’t Kirby?”
“None, sir, my boys are ready,” responded the tall SNCO, his hair giving the impression it had a life of its own.
“Don’t they have barbers in the recce platoon, Sergeant?” Asked the CSM, but he was smiling as he said it.
“The Russians kind of cancelled my appointment, sir.”
The group laughed.
“I’m sure we can find you a pair of scissors when this is over,” added the CSM.
“Sir.”
“I’ll leave the deployment of the units to you, but if the enemy head north or south, you need to cover our right and left flanks and cover the Milan units deployed there. I know you’re used to your vehicles working in pairs, but we’re all spread pretty thin. We may get two 438s in support. To be confirmed.”
“Understood, sir. What if we spot the enemy using the heights?”
“Good question Sarn’t Kirby. I will have a Two-Platoon dug in and One-Platoon acting as a QRF.”
“That will leave only one Scimitar to cover the Milan’s, sir.”
“Yes, I know. Well, that gives you a clue as to where I want one of your anti-tank sections, Captain Banks.”
The captain moved closer to the larger of the two photographs. “There’s a ditch here, sir, fed by water that flows off the Hasselburg. It runs right across the gap on our right flank. We’re not sure of its depth or width, but if it causes the enemy a delay, my mobile team can take advantage of that and pick off any armour.”
“Why the mobile section, Captain?”
“If they’re in danger of being overrun, they can at least reposition themselves quickly. Corporal Ward’s section, sir, I suggest, is deployed close to and around the village.”
“That makes sense,” responded the major. “Lieutenant Russell.”
“Sir.”
“You will be our Quick Reaction Force. In fact, I want one of your sections at the southern crossroads, with the other two in the village on five minutes notice to move.”
“They’ll be ready, sir.”
“The new men settling in OK?” asked the CSM.
“Yes, Sarn’t Major. I’ve put the new ones with Corporal Stubbings. He’s my most experienced section commander.”