Stalingrad Hell on Earth

by Bronycommander

Chapter 6 Winter is coming

Chapter 6: Winter is coming

It’s slowly getting colder here, long lasting rains, yes even snow showers announce the coming season – the Russian winter. Will we experience it here? All this now adds to the difficulties of the battle. The losses in men and materiel haven risen so high, that it simply cannot be imagined that the units that led the attack from the beginning are to remain in operations.

Lieutenant Joachim Stempel, Panzer Grenadier Regiment 103

Not bloody, more like hell. They all knew it. After the rocket barrage died down, Frank got up and carried her to the bunker.

Ruby was cowering not saying a word. “Stay safe.” Frank said before he got out fight the battle.

It was the Russian Steamroller. They sent waves of infantry.

The German and their Russian comrades did their best to hold them off.

Klaus fired at every enemy soldier he spotted. For every killed Ivan, 6 others took his place. Frank, Nick and Lars fired their weapons as enemy infantry advanced.

“Do they ever run out of men?!” Lars shouted as he reloaded.

“There are too many of them!” Frank switched to his sidearm as his rifle jammed. While the Automatic version was hard to control, Frank was used to it and could handle it with ease.

There was a metallic cracking sound, Klaus MG had burst, so he used his P38.

With heavy losses, they managed to hold the line. A drying Ivan was killed by the commander with his MP40. “Well done, men. Those Bolsheviks will think twice to attack us like that. Now-“

He was cut off by an engine sound. Several T34 moved in. “Tanks? Recon never said anything about tanks in the area. Hold them of, I call for Reinforcements!”

Manfred manned a Pak 38 with Nick, an Osttruppen soldier used an PZB 784(R) Anti-tank rifle and fired at the tracks. He managed to immobilize a T34, the Pak finished it off with a shot to the ammo rack, making it explode.

“See? We can do the job as good as a REAL German.” He was happy.

Inside, the Commander tried to call for help.

“Battalion, this is Platoon Commander, Battalion, this is Platoon Commander. Armored support needed! We-“

A sniper bullet to the head killed him. The officer stumbled for a moment before collapsing, a red puddle forming on the ground.

“Is there anybody? Hello!? over.” The radio buzzed.

Seeing no other option to survive, Ruby used the Radio.

“Please, send help!” she yelled.

“This is a child? Never mind, little girl why are you on the radio? Where is the commander?”

“Dead! We’re getting overrun! Please, I don't want everyone to die here!” she pleaded.

“Calm down, Kind, we will help you, where are you at?!!”

“At the HQ!”

“Wait what!!! The HQ is lost? Rear command is sending reinforcements, we are coming to reinforce their position, just take cover and we will be there shortly. Did you hear me!!!”

“Yes!!! HURRY!!!!”

“We be there as-“ a bullet destroyed the radio. Ruby turned around to see a Russian soldier standing in front of her, his rifle pointed at her. “Hello? Hello!? Sound alarm!” the operator yelled before the radio died.

“No, please, don’t shoot!” she begged.

As Frank heard Ruby scream, he turned around. Once he saw how Ruby was held at gunpoint by a hostile soldier, he was enraged and charged at him. “AAAAARGH! DIEEEEEEE!”

He stabbed the soldier into the heart with his bayonet. The Ivan struggled for a few seconds but eventually collapsed.

Ruby had her eyes covered, expecting to die. She flinched as Frank putted his hand on her mane.

As she realized that it was him, the filly wrapped her hoofs tightly around her.

A T34 destroyed the Pak, knocking Manfred and Nick over. They got up quickly, only to see that the Soviet tank aimed at them. They both knew they would die, closing their eyes.

Suddenly, the tank exploded, the turret was blown off. “Pride of the Fatherland!”

A Tiger tank escorted by a StuG III and a Panzer IV destroyed every T34 and killed any infantry with their pintle-mounted MG42s. While primary against aircraft, it was also strong against infantry.

An Opel Blitz was behind them, loaded with winter gear.

Frank lifted Ruby up and held her close to his chest. She didn’t say anything, she just stayed curled up in his arms.

While Manfred, Klaus, Nick and Lars had survived, the Osttruppen had heavy casualties.

Bodies of them and the enemy everywhere, destroyed tanks, anti-tank guns and buildings from the artillery.

“Jesus. What a mess.” Nick saw the damage. “But at least you’re alright.” He patted the filly who gave him a weak smile.

“The next outpost it not far from here, but it will take some time to reach it.”

“We have to walk?” Ruby asked scared that something bad could happen like with Kevin.

“No, not you, there is no need for you to wear your little legs out walking. Ride on one of the tanks. You have earned the rest.”

Frank climbed on the Tiger Tank. Nick, Manfred, Lars and Klaus climbed on it too, while the other soldiers climbed on the StuG and Panzer IV. The Osttruppen used the truck or walked. “Let’s do as the Americans would say, put the pedal to the metal!” The StuG commander said as they moved out.

Ruby pressed herself against the young soldier to stay warm as the cold wind brushed against her fur. She enjoyed the ride with a smile.

She heard how the Tiger crew had a conversation.

"A shot into our side hit the ammo there, see! Kaboom! ”

“Nein, tank's battle is not at all like boxing!”

“If you're afraid, you'll die. Guaranteed!” That last sentence scared Ruby, making her blood freeze. She was scared but didn’t want to die.

It started to snow. Ruby giggled as a snowflake landed on her noise.

Frank smiled, he liked when it snowed, especially at Christmas. It suited so well.

At the outpost, one of the Osttruppen made some winter clothes for her.

“Here, for you.”

“Thanks.” Ruby putted them on. A blue jacket and shoes, with a red scarf and winter hat. The scarf covered her face making only her eyes visible. It warmed the hearts of the Germans as it looked very cute.

“Looks good on you.” Manfred smiled.

The unicorn blushed. “Thank you.” She shivered for a second. “Never thought that it would be so cold here. Can’t remember that Equestria had ever such a cold winter, except for the time before its founding.”

“That winter is nothing compared to the Russian winter in 1941. It was the coldest winter the world has seen so far with -40 degree. Unprotected flesh would freeze within 5 minute. If General winter hadn’t come, and the Red Army so stubborn, we had captured Moscow and it would be over.”

Ruby then had a happy conversation with the Russian soldier in who had like all others, switched to a German white winter uniform. The day was quiet.

In the evening, Frank tucked her in. “Goodnight, my dear.”

“Goodnight, Frank. I hope my mother finds me soon.” She sounded sad and worried.

“I’m sure they will. And if this is over before that, you can enjoy Christmas with me and my family.”

Ruby smiled. “I’m convinced that your daughter will like me.” With a yawn, the filly fell asleep.

The same Osttruppen soldier who made her clothes smiled at her.

Before Frank left for a mission briefing, she said, “Keep her safe.”

“You can count on Osttruppen. No, really, you can!” He sounded like he had no self-confidence but still, he sounded ready to protect the child with his life.

Nick gave the briefing.

“Good evening, men. This is one of the last Bolshevik strong-holds – and we have been chosen to break it. The factory has been fought over weeks and is ruined, so there is plenty of cover for the enemy. This will be a night attack, so the swine can’t see us coming.

I don’t need to explain to you all how important this is. I know you all are tired. But we really are close to the end now. If we can break them here, there won’t be much resistance left.”

They moved out. Their target was the Red October Factory.

The Russians got caught by surprise as the Germans took the Sheet Finishing hall. The resistance at the Forging Area was stronger, but still the Germans took that too.

The Calibration Workshop was heavily defended. A German soldier was hit and fell to the ground next to Frank. “I sorry I let you down…I’m sorry I won’t… either watch your backs…”

“Shh…you don’t need to apologize, save your strength.” Frank applied pressure on the chest wound, but despite this effort, his comrade died in his own blood.

Making the catholic cross, Frank moved on after closing his comrade’s eyes.

The soldier’s squad mates had secured the workshop, only the Finished Product warehouse was left.

As expected, the Ivan was fighting to the last man. But as the warehouse was not far from the river, they’ll have nowhere left to run.

An MG pinned the German Squad at the entrance down. Frank was in cover at the right, Manfred at the left.

Frank saw how an Ivan prepared to throw a grenade. The German shot him into the head, but the grenade landed next to Manfred.

The explosion buried him under debris but the MP40 landed next to Frank.

He was shocked and yelled, “Manfred! Manfred!” He was about to check his friend but the Ivan’s fire kept him from doing so.

Frank sobbed for a second before he picked the MP40 up and charged at the Russians screaming. “AHHHHHHH!”

In rage, the man single handedly secured the warehouse.

His comrades followed him.

After calming down and realizing for what this was, Frank laughed.

“For that? For that. For that? God! For that! Ah!” he kicked a chair in frustration.

In anger he threw his helmet against the wall and sat down. Then he tried to regain his breath and buried his head into his hands.

Nick, Klaus and Lars looked at each other, not sure what to say.

Nick stepped forward. “That was…impressive. We checked Manfred before we followed you. He’s unharmed and just knocked out.”

“So it wasn’t in vain this time.” Frank replied referencing to Kevin’s fate.

They all got back to Ruby. She was still sleeping peacefully. Frank was tired so he got into bed too. She hugged him in her sleep and smiled. “Daddy…I love you...”

Frank couldn’t help but smile too.

He and his comrades couldn’t help but feel that the hard work is finally behind them, that soon all of Stalingrad will be in German hands. There is every chance they will be soon able to return home, welcomed as heroes, back to the loving arms of their wives and children and able to enjoy a warm Christmas! After months of struggle, they can think of no better gift for themselves.

But also, Ruby would be out of this hell and warzone and at a safer place.

Author's Note:

Unfortunately, history disagreed. The factory battle was based on the last mission of the German campaign of Red Ochestra 2, which is the Red October factory and dated 21st November 1942. In this chapter, same place and date. Frank's charge was based on this scene from Generation war. The quotes from the Tiger and StuG Commander are from the game Company of Heroes 1, while the Osttruppen quotes are from Company of Heroes 2.

Comments

[Boof Man]

I didn't play the game, so now that Stalingrad is secured (or at-least described as secured), does that mean more alt-history will come into play?

[Bronycommander]

8297258
Well, Ingame the Russian Campaign follows where they surrounded the 6th Army. The Next chapters Show how they try to Survive the Winter

[Boof Man]

8297267
Well can't wait, none the less :P

[Bronycommander]

8297272
Next Update Tomorrow, i Update it daily