//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 The point // Story: For Honor, Glory and The Empire // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 6: The point Later, General Kuribayashi wanted that Chiba and his squad reported. “Reporting as ordered.” They stood at attention. “At ease. You’re good soldiers and you did your duty. To be honest, I don’t want that you get killed for Flute’s wellbeing. So, I transfer you to Okinawa. Unlike Iwo Jima, on Okinawa, you should have a better chance to survive. Dismissed.” That filled all men with unease. Okinawa served as base for the planes and as shipyard to repair damaged planes. Also, supplies and Resources were would transported to Japan from there. Like Iwo Jima, it was a strategic important position for both sides. This island was the last line of defense that stood in the way of an invasion of the Japanese main island by the Allies. Should the Americans conquer it, they could cut off the Japanese troops in the southern Pacific from the remaining armed forces stationed in Korea, North China and Japan. And the Allies also could invade Japan which must be prevented at all costs. “As stupid as it sounds, we should surrender to the Americans when we have the chance on Okinawa,” Suzuki suggested. “It is seen as shame, but I don’t care anymore! What has honor to do with treating POWs so… inhuman?!” Osaka exclaimed. They always gave US POWs food and medicine to show their sympathy and that not all Japanese soldiers were fanatical. “I don’t know. But if some of our comrades capture Flute and…” Sato couldn’t finish is sentence as Osaka patted his shoulder. “Relax, if some of our comrades capture her, we will free her.” He looked him into the eyes with an honest expression. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” “That’s what friends are for.” Despite all this support, Sato prayed by the Emperor that Flute wouldn’t suffer such a fate or something worse. Right now, the filly was riding with Miller, James and Roebuck on a Sherman tank, as the Sarge made an entry. Getting this far has been tougher than any of us could ever have imagined. Taking the airfield and the mortar pits showed us that the enemy will fight to the death for every last inch of this rock. Then he putted it in his pocket and explained what their objective was. “The 200 mm on the point still has the Beach targeted. We all saw firsthand what that means when we hit shore. Any attempts to bring in reinforcements just leads to the same outcome...” “A bloodbath...” James finished the sentence for him. “Yeah... well... Major Gordon's suspended any further landings until the guns are knocked out. Now listen... Tojo's got a network of tunnels and caves running through the whole damn rock... We're trying to flush 'em out with the dogs... but we all know how stubborn these bastards are. Be prepared for close quarter fighting... They'll come at us from all sides. Watch each other's backs... Don't get caught out.” “Incoming!!!” Miller yelled as the leading tank got destroyed by an anti-tank position. They all hoped off, Flute got shell-shocked by the explosion. “Find some cover, fast! GO GO GO! Get to cover, now!” Polonsky yelled. “Japanese infantry!” Flute’s vision returned to normal as James checked her. “You’re ok?” He asked panic welling in his voice. “Yes.” He helped her up. She could walk again, but only limping, so James carried her to cover. “We got artillery coming from the northeast!” Miller fired his captured Arisaka at the enemy. He swapped it for his M1 Garand as it had an abundance of ammunition. “We need to move up and knock 'em out!” Roebuck fired his Thompson. James putted the filly behind the destroyed tank as cover. She carefully peeked around it, seeing how the Marines fought back and moved up. James stayed with her. The filly heard a cry of pain, a young Marine was hit in the chest. “I don’t wanna die on this Rock…Someone get me outta here!” “Hang on, you gonna be alright!” the Corpsman applied pressure on the wound to slow the bleeding. Flute quickly got some bandages out of his pocket with her magic. “Thanks.” Despite James’s best efforts, the young Marine bleed out too fast. As the body went limp, the Corpsman closed his comrade’s eyes. “We’re losing too many already for this rock.” He took the solder’s dog tags. The unicorn sniffed. “He was still so young…” James checked his ammo. The mag was almost empty, so he reloaded. “Yes, so many dead just for this rock. But the faster we take this gun out, the more lives we safe.” He gently took her on his arm as they moved out. “Miller! Get on that triple 25! Watch that bunker on the left! Make sure it's clear!” Roebuck warned as James and Flute caught up. “Banzai!” a Banzai Charger charged at Miller, he countered him by stabbing the Japanese into the chest with the bayonet of his Arisaka. The enemy soldier held his wound in pain before dying. The Miller got on the AA gun and destroyed the anti-tank position. “There's another one up ahead! Clear it out! So our tanks can move up!” James spotted another one. He moved from cover to cover. Pinned down, he putted Flute gently on the ground and fired blind. Yet, the Marines managed to destroy the enemy position. A piece of the anti-tank gun flew towards Flute after the gun exploded, missing her by millimeter, causing her to yelp. “That was close.” James commented as he picked her up. “So far so good, Marines! Keep it tight.” Roebuck complimented his men. The child started by explosions. American planes made a bombing run in front of them. “Dammit! Do the air force know we're here?!” Polonsky went to cover. “Heads down! Our tanks should be able to provide some cover as we close in around the hill. But it'll be up to us to clear the caves... Stay in cover till they finish their run!” Roebuck replied as Flute covered her ears from the explosions. After the bombing run was finished, a standard Sherman and a Crocodile, a Sherman armed with a flamethrower instead of a 75mm cannon moved up. The filly saw that the standard Sherman had a manned heavy MG mounted on a secondary mount at the top of the main turret. “Sergeant, get an MG on the roof of this tin can. It's time to shred some Japs!” the tank commander shouted. “Sarge! Tanks moving up!” Polonsky was glad to see them. “Move with it! Go! Now! Stay with the tanks! Use them for cover! Watch the fire!... Stay behind the tanks!” Roebuck advised. James and Flute used the standard Sherman as cover, Miller Polonsky and Roebuck the Flame tank. The foal was terrified of those powerful weapons. The flame tank burned every resistance, the Heavy MG and the 75mm gun of the other tank, tore the hostile soldiers apart. As they reached the entrance, to the caves, The Sergeant ordered, "Polonsky, take the one on the left!” “I hear you!” “This is it! Clear out these caves! James, wait here and keep Flute safe!” “Roger that.” While the other Marines cleared the caves, the young Corpsman petted the filly. “Once this is over, we get you to a safer place.” “I hope it will be over soon too.” After some minutes, Miller came out. “Regroup.” They followed him to Polonsky and Roebuck who were standing at a coast gun. “How many Marines did we lose taking this rock?” Polonsky asked relieved that this was over. “Already too many.” A radioman reported to Major Gordon. “Relay the message to Major Gordon. The artillery on the point has been knocked out. Yes sir.” James gently sat Flute down. She couldn’t help but admire the view from the artillery point. “Tennōheika banzai!” Out of nowhere, a Japanese officer stormed in, stabbing Flute in her right shoulder with a Katana. James shot the officer with his sidearm. “No!!!” Flute fell backwards to the ground, holding her wound in pain, tears leaving her eyes. “Flute! No... Hold on... You're gonna be okay...” James applied pressure and sprinkled hemostat to the wound. Flute cried in pain, Miller gently held her hoof and whispered comforting words as James bandaged her. “Damn it! Don’t worry Flute, we get you of this rock.” Roebuck comforted her as James was bandaging her. Then the Corpsman carried her to a rally point for the wounded. Polonsky kneeled to her. “Don’t worry, you gonna be fine in no time. Have I ever told you about New York?” “N-no…” Flute relied as she winced in pain. “Let me give you something against the pain.” James gave her Morphine which felt good to her. “Thanks, doc.” “You’re welcome.” “Well Flute, New York is a city in the USA at the East coast and is the most populous city in the United States. It has 5 Townships. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. My mother lives in Queens. Also, New York has many signs. The most famous is the Statue of Liberty, I loved the view from the Empire State Building.” He smiled at the memories. “Manhattan? In Equestria, we have a city called Manehattan.” Flute was surprised. “Well, I’m sure James will show you it when you’re on leave, right?” “Sure thing, Polonsky.” The Corpsman gave her his canteen. “Take a sip.” After she took a refreshing sip, a LVT stopped next to them. “Is this Item Company?” The commander asked. “No, K-3-5.” Miller replied. “I gotta get back to Baker-1-7. Do you have any idea where they are?” “No I don't. I need you to take the wounded back to the beach.” “No can do, were moving out.” The LVT started to move but James and Polonsky blocked the way. Miller climbed on it, took his pistol put and knocked on the driver hatch. Roebuck said nothing, he grinned. Both drivers opened their hatches, popping their heads out. “Hold here till we load our wounded, then you can move your butt wherever you want.” “Yes, sir.” One of the drivers replied. Polonsky and James stepped aside. “Get the wounded onboard.” The Corpsman took Flute and the other wounded onboard the LVT. “Hey James, can you send my mother my regards?” Polonsky asked, blushing a little bit. “Of course.” Then the LVT drove to the beach. “Thank you, James.” Flute thanked as she enjoyed the ride. “I’ll only do my duty.” He smiled. He and she had this bloody battle. And he could not only bring her to a safer place, but also be on leave, getting some peace and rest from the war.