James Shipman - Task Force Baum

He ran through the maze of his fears again. What if his column had scared them off and they did not take the first road? What if they headed south to Bonnland and attempted to find a bridge farther south? Were there any? His regiment’s territory did not extend significantly to the south down the Main. It was possible there were additional bridges farther away. He cursed himself that his actions had cut off all communication with Colonel Hoepple. If he was able to use his radio, he could call and obtain on-the-go intelligence and also find out if anyone else had spotted the American column.

It could not be helped. He would have to go in blind and trust to his instincts and to luck. He gave his orders, hastening up and down the line. Within a few minutes, the column was under way, rumbling slowly around the burning Ferdinand. Koehl checked his watch; they’d lost another half hour here. Still, with luck, they should arrive first at Höllrich. He shouted at his driver, ordering that he push the accelerator as far as was reasonably safe. Soon the force was rumbling down the road again and making excellent time.

As they sped toward the ambush point, he was just able to make out in the distance the sloping form of Hill 427. This prominence rose a few hundred feet above the landscape; along with an adjacent, lesser hill, it would give any force during the day an outstanding view of the surrounding countryside. As the hill grew larger on the horizon, a deeper dark barely discernible in the starless sky, Koehl ran through his head the necessary turns and the route the column must take to reach Höllrich.

As he considered this, he was surprised to feel his Ferdinand lurching and beginning to slow. What was it now, he wondered? The Hauptmann was beginning to lean down to shout at his driver, but he drew himself back up when he realized the problem.

His heart sank. Resting in the middle of the highway was the bulky mass of a Tiger tank, its 88mm cannon aimed down the road at the column. Even as he attempted to shout orders to stop and begin to reverse, he realized it was too late. They simply had not had enough warning in the darkness. Koehl could hear the shouts of the Germans in front of him now, and he knew what they were there for and what was surely to happen.

As his vehicle rolled to a stop, a squad of soldiers rushed out of the darkness, rifles raised, screaming for the Hauptmann to raise his hands. Baumann emerged from the blackness, a smug expression on his face. It was over.

Hauptmann Baumann stood just behind the soldiers, hands on his hips. “Well, well,” he said, “what have we here?”

“ Hauptmann , I’ve seen the Americans,” said Koehl, trying to find some way out of the situation. “If we hurry, we—”

“Sorry, Koehl, but I have my orders. I need you to come down immediately.”

Koehl’s hands were still in the air. “Before you do anything else, Baumann, I want it known that I acted alone. The men have followed my orders without knowing I disobeyed Hoepple.”

Baumann raised an eyebrow. “I find that rather hard to believe.”

“It’s true.”

The panzer commander paused for a second and then shrugged. “Well, that’s not for me to decide, Koehl. I’ll take your word for it now as an officer, and we can sort that out later.”

Koehl wasn’t willing to leave it there. He had to look after his men. “What’s to become of my crew?”

“For now, nothing,” said Baumann. “I need them, you see. Despite your belief, we are still trying to capture the American column. I have my forces spread out all over Hill 427. Your men will join mine.”

“But the Americans aren’t coming this way,” protested Koehl. “They’re on their way to Höllrich, or perhaps even farther south.”

“What makes you think that?”

“My force was surprised by the American column barely two miles back.”

“Where?” asked Baumann, his eyes flickering with interest.

“At the T on the Höllrich road. Do you know it?”

Baumann nodded. “What happened?”

“They took out a Ferdinand. We returned fire, but they backed away. Unfortunately, our armored vehicle blocked pursuit. They are either heading south toward Bonnland or east on the back roads toward Höllrich.”

“They aren’t headed south, that’s for sure,” said Baumann.

“How do you know?”

“Because they’ve already been there. The Americans ran into a roadblock about an hour ago just north of the town. There wasn’t much there, just a few troops and one MG 42. Fortunately, the enemy turned around and headed north. The patrol called it in to the colonel, and he contacted me. That’s why we moved here, to head off the task force. I was also ordered to take you into custody if we found you. Trust me, it gives me no pleasure.”

“ Hauptmann , I’m begging you,” said Koehl. “The Americans aren’t coming this way anymore. If you’re right and they won’t head south, then they will have turned off on the gravel road a mile or so back down the T, and they will be headed east toward Höllrich. If we leave here now, there is still time to attack them.”

Baumann shook his head. “The colonel’s orders are to stay here. We have a commanding position. If the Americans come this way, we will decimate them; if not, then we will avoid any casualties.” He looked at Koehl sternly. “Casualties you have already taken through your reckless disregard of orders.”

Koehl was overwhelmed. “If you’re going to arrest me, fine, but please at least go to Höllrich. We have them right where we want them.”

“No, Hauptmann . Unlike you, I’m following the colonel’s commands.”

“Can you get him on the radio? Tell him what I know?”

Baumann shook his head. “It wouldn’t make any difference. The colonel is done listening to you. He doesn’t care if this column escapes. It’s a few hundred men. He has to think about the defense of this entire sector. We have nothing left to defend it with except my tanks and your Ferdinands. That and a few companies of infantry. We’re low on fuel, ammunition, even food. We have to preserve what we have.” He stared at Koehl again for a moment, his face growing harsh. “You’ve lost your way, Koehl. The war is almost over. You should be protecting your men. They have families to go home to. I understand you’ve experienced tremendous recent losses and that this enemy force is directly responsible, but that doesn’t give you the right to gamble with the rest of your men. Are their lives worth less than yours? Than your friend and family?”

Koehl was stunned. Baumann was right. He realized he’d fought for so long, with death such a constant companion, that he didn’t see that the end of all of this was so near. He hadn’t considered that in seeking revenge for the loss of his sister and his dear friend, he was taking away the future of others under his command. How far he’d traveled from his service to church and community. What had he become?

“You’re right, Hauptmann . I’ve thought only of myself. I’ve gone too far with this. But—”

“But they killed those closest to you,” finished Baumann, understanding in his eyes. “I know that. If there were a way I could let you have your revenge without risking my command, I would do it. But now it’s too late. You’ve gambled your own life in this. I’m afraid the colonel will have no choice but to have you shot for disobeying his orders.”

Koehl knew he was right. That was justice. He deserved it. After all he’d seen and done these past years. After the lives he’d sacrificed and the ones he’d taken. His own life would pay the price in return.

Baumann motioned to a couple of the guards. They stepped forward, taking Koehl into custody. He was walked past the panzer and up through more men and equipment, eventually reaching the top of the hill, where a group of Germans had erected a command tent. Koehl was directed to a folding chair, and he sat down, flanked by the two guards.