James Shipman - Task Force Baum

The column of anti-tank vehicles rolled back down the highway toward Hammelburg. Koehl could see the city in the far distance to his left as they rumbled southeast. Besides the flickering lights, visibility was low, and his Ferdinand, in the lead, proceeded at less than half speed to avoid inadvertently driving off the road and into the steep ditches to the right and left.

Koehl strained his eyes in the night, struggling to pick up any movement, any sign of the enemy task force. He realized it was possible that the Americans were long gone, perhaps already over the Main again. He swore to himself, cursing the foolish orders and the complacency of Baumann. Well, there was nothing he could do about that. He was in God’s hands. If the Lord intended the GIs to escape, there was nothing he could do about it. If not, then he would find them in the blackness, and he would have his vengeance.

The column skirted Hammelburg and turned to the southwest toward Bonnland, taking a further right and veering west/southwest toward Höllrich, his intended destination. Below him, he heard Lieutenant Jaeger speaking on the radio to someone. He heard his subordinate’s voice rising as he was cut off over and over. He felt his anxiety mount. He could guess who was on the other end of the receiver. In moments, his fears were confirmed.

“ Hauptmann .”

“What is it?”

“It’s the colonel on the radio.”

“Tell him I’m in the middle of a transfer, and I’ll reach him as soon as I can.” The lieutenant relayed the information.

“I’m sorry, sir, but the colonel said he must speak with you now. He said that’s an order.”

Koehl took the receiver and lifted it up. “ Jawohl? ”

“Koehl, is that you?” asked the colonel. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m ambushing the Americans, like you ordered.”

“Nonsense!” shouted Hoepple through the radio. “I ordered you to Gräfendorf to meet up with Baumann.”

“I followed that order.”

“And then you argued with him and snuck out like a thief. Where the hell are you?”

“We’re south of Hammelburg, heading toward Höllrich.”

“Turn your ass around and return to Baumann now.”

“But, sir, we waited there for hours. The Americans aren’t coming. There’s no point in sitting there any longer.”

“The point of remaining is that I ordered you to. Damn it, Koehl. Are you making a fool of me? I withdrew my command that you be relieved. You promised you would follow my direction, and now you’re defying me.”

“Your orders were conflicting, sir.” Koehl knew that wasn’t true, but he had to say something.

“Return to Gräfendorf immediately, Hauptmann .”

“Yes, sir. I will continue on and pursue the Americans. Thank you.”

“That’s not what I sa—” Koehl removed his bayonet and cut through the wire beneath the receiver, severing the connection. He lifted the receiver and hurled it into the darkness.

“Sir, what did you just do?” asked Jaeger anxiously, looking up suspiciously from the bowels of the Ferdinand.

“I’m following orders, Lieutenant. The orders that count.” He looked down sternly at Jaeger. They’d served together for a long time. They’d been through many trials by fire. What would the lieutenant do?

“Sir, we should turn back. The colonel ordered it.”

“I know what he said, Jaeger, but I’m asking you to follow me.”

“I can’t do that.”

Koehl ignored the response. “Have I ever let you down? Does any of this make sense to you? You know the Americans will never come to Gräfendorf. They are going to get away. I can smell them out there. I’ve always led us to the prey. Please trust me and let me do this. I promise, I’ll take full responsibility for my actions.”

Jaeger seemed to consider this. “And what if you get a bunch of us killed in the process?”

“That is God’s will. Have I ever been reckless with casualties?”

The lieutenant shook his head.

“I won’t be now. I give you my word.”

Jaeger thought about it for a few seconds. “Not a bit of responsibility for me or the rest of the command. Your word on that.”

“It’s all on me, Lieutenant.” Koehl felt a rush of elation, and a conflicting surge of guilt. Jaeger’s words ran through his mind again: What if you get a bunch of us killed ...

“All right, sir, I’m with you. I trust you. But this is your responsibility.”

Koehl reached down, grasping the lieutenant’s hand tightly. He felt a moment of panic. What am I doing ? He was risking everything. He could be shot. But if he succeeded, he hoped all would be well. He just had to catch up with the Americans, and stay away from Baumann…

The column continued, moving through the darkness toward Höllrich. A half hour passed as the force crawled along the road. The thoroughfare narrowed, and the concrete gradually crumbled into gravel. The Ferdinand churned the rocks, kicking up a cloud of dust. Koehl coughed and sputtered as he struggled for breath. He drew a handkerchief and pressed it against his nose and mouth, but he did not move down into the vehicle, where he would be more protected from the churning particles in the air. He needed to see.

Koehl checked his watch and closed his eyes, trying to visualize the countryside on a map. He estimated their speed and tried to determine when they might reach their destination. If he was right about the Americans, they’d come this way. If they’d been delayed at the Oflag, which at this point seemed likely, he should reach the intercept point ahead of them. That would allow him to set up another ambush. He hoped that, with the darkness and the enemy task force bogged down with POWs, he’d be able to make short work of them. After that, he would face the colonel and perhaps a firing squad. He smiled to himself. After everything he’d seen and endured the past six years, death would almost come as a relief. Almost .

As they rolled forward, he considered Höllrich as a battleground. He pictured the town in his mind. He’d been here a few times, and he went through the network of streets and squares, trying to pre-suppose their positions before they arrived. The city wasn’t an ideal place for the trap. It was not laid out as well as Gräfendorf or Gemünden, but it would serve its purpose. When he was satisfied with his preliminary plan, he ducked his head back into the Ferdinand and caught Jaeger’s attention.

“Lieutenant.”

“ Jawohl, mein Hauptmann? ”

“We’re getting close. Here’s what I want to do. I want you to…”

His words were cut off by a thunderous detonation. The Ferdinand rocked and shuddered. Koehl was thrown against the side, crashing against the steel interior. His shoulder cracked, and he felt overwhelming pain. He shouted orders even as his crew sprang into action. The Americans were here…

Between Hammelburg and Höllrich

March 27, 1945, 1950 hours

The fire from the burning Sherman flared in Hall’s eyes, dimming his night vision. He expected a cascade of explosions as the ambush rained fire down on the convoy. He was surprised to hear nothing but the crackling of the dead Sherman and the rumbling engines of the rest of the column.

“Let’s get rolling!” screamed Baum, and Hall followed Stiller as the major rushed back toward their jeep. They made it back just as the tank directly in front of them lurched forward. In a few seconds, Stiller swerved sharply to the right, dropping down into a shallow ditch and back out again as he steered the jeep around the burning tank.