TANK ON THE ROAD
Turnbull helps the paratroopers set up the 57mm gun and then checks on the men near the center of town, when he hears the unmistakable rumbling of a heavy engine.
Then a paratrooper yells out.
The call echoes along the American line. The Lieutenant scrambles to see what the Germans are up to.
An old French tank appears at the far end of the road, inching towards them. At the same time, heavy German small arms fire erupts.
The tank is an obsolete "Beutepanzer*", a captured French R35 tank used by the Germans to train tank drivers. It's a legacy from early in the War that won't stand up to the American Sherman tanks landing only a few miles to the east.
However, its 37mm gun is a fierce challenge for these lightly armed paratroopers. The tank spins its turret, looking for its target.
Then a black smoke puff appears from the tank, followed quickly by a loud boom. A tank round smashes into the building behind the 57mm gun, throwing paratroopers to the ground, knocking them out for the moment.
The platoon fires but their bullets bounce off the tank. The tank's target, Turner's 57 mm gun, is also the only hope he has of beating back this attack.
Turner sprints into the open and dives into the ground near the gun. Though dazed and wounded, the gunners seems to respond to Turner's orders.
A second tank round booms and sails overhead. Turner and the other men quickly site in and then fire back at the tank.
Heavier and deadlier rounds crack across the field and slam into the tank, slicing its thin armor. The tank erupts into flame.
The German small arms fire abruptly slackens. Turner and the 57mm gunners watch warily for more tanks but none appear.
Turnbull crouches and catches his breath, realizing suddenly how close he just came to death. He watches his medic rush between cover to help the wounded and considers what to do next.
The fire fight is pretty intense, so he would be justified in staying under cover. On the other hand, he has not checked on the right flank. Perhaps he should see how they are doing?
What do you do, Lieutenant?
Stay Put - You're More Effective Alive Than Dead
Check In On Your Squad On The Flank
