A field of fireflies

week 1 I have a good friend, his name is john. We've got quite some history together, Me and john. We were sent to a base on the front lines. We've been friends since Grade 9, two years before we got sent to the base. First we had to stay at base and wait for our tank arrive. Me and John mannaged to be assigned to the same tank. The tention got bigger every day we got closer to the day of arrival.

The day of arrival Week 2

Monday, the second week, we were assigned we were woken by the sound of engines and the rumble of the new tank platoon rolling into the base. 10 new tanks total. We all got out of bed and put our uniform on. We were outside early, the wake up call hadn't even gone off. Me and John stormed outside, the general was already talking to the men who brought the tanks. We walked up to the general. "Good morning lads, i presume you got woken by these." We both respond with a "yes sir". He pointed at a firefly, "that one is yours, straight from Harrowshire". We both got exited, an occation like this usually ment a good meal and a day of rest. The general signals to follow him, we follow him inside to the sleeping quarters. He walked in everybody already awake but not in uniform. "Today is a special day lads, The new platoon tanks have finaly arrived. With this occation we will be having a day off and a good meal." One of the soldiers asked "What will taht meal be sir?" the general Stood there for 10 seconds, thinking. then he barks out "We'll be having steak with french fries at 12:00." he turned arroud saluted and walked out. Meanwhile the whole Room is shouting, chearing and clapping their hands. We had a good day, ate until we couldn't anymore and took a look in and outside of our new tanks.

The rest of week 2

For the rest of the week we were tought how to opperate our assigned tank, use the radio communication system, and repair the tank if ever needed on the battelfield.

Tuesday morning week 3

In the morning the wake up call was done, we were all in uniform awaiting orders in the sleeping quarters. The coordonator walked into the sleeping quarters, he greets us and then starts the briefing "This morning two of our scouts returned in panic, one of them spotted a truck with enemy logo in the woods, this truck presumably carried ammunition. The other scout returned with the news he saw an anti tank advancing past the crossroads on the coordinates classefied. Our guesses make this up to be an ambush and maybe even an attack on the base. You all have been prepaired to carry out missions with the new tanks so this will be your first combat mission. I will hand out documents with information and a map so you can navigate and go over the material again. You will be departing at 10:00 for this mission. And good luck gentelmen." He walked out leaving us all chattering about the mission. I whispered to John "I was wondering why this morning was so quiet." At 09:30 We were all ready, tanks loaded with ammunition, everyone a handweapon, and MRE's with our names on it in the tank. At 09:45 We got into our tanks, and at 09:55 We departed.

The Mission

We, another firefly, and two Cromwells, were sent into a deathtrap, and we came out alive. We were driving down the road, and all of a sudden "BAM" a shell rammed straight into the rear Cromwell, a shout over the radio said: "Anti tank, 2 o'clock!". We turned into the field and fired the first shot, luckily straight into the ammo, I'm telling you those f*cks took the express route into the clouds. with that, our first tank kill. We couldn't stop to calm down or be sad we lost our comrades, we had to get the objective at the end of the day. two thirds the way there, we were In a field against a forest on our right. "BANG" the second Cromwell down. I look around and saw an 88 mil, I shout over the radio: "88 mil, it's a panther!". We turn our turret and with another "BAM" the lead firefly was out, our comunal commander Harrey Bantam was down. We fired back and got our second kill, we had to command our one tank platoon to the crossroads. We advanced to the crossroads we needed to be, and we rested. One of our lads, the second driver, Jim Kreston went on the lookout. We had some silence, ate our mre's, cracked some jokes. Then Jim came running back... An enemy platoon, 157 men, 2 of those operating a half track. We put our tank to the side of the barn at the objective, and made it look defeated. The platoon marched on Past our tank, and when the half track was right Infront of us, we fired HE the vehicle, had ammunition stored in it, about 70 men instantly dead or wounded. We bulldozered the rest of 'em with the machine guns. The objective was completed, but at what cost? Me and Francis were talking outside the tank, and... With a flash and a bang A 14 year old, with panzerfoust shot our tank to bits. I got demoted because I beat 'em to death. And all that in 24 hours.

After battle

Me and John being the only ones remaining got brought back to base by lorries. When we came back we were called hero's, and praised for our mission. The general ordered me into his office, we sat down and he started "Lisen son, we all find it verry verry impressive, even me honestly... But i've already contackted Main HQ and as much as they are impressed they're also angry that you killed that little piece of sh*t. I find it verry justified son, i just wanna get that straight. But HQ has commanded me to dmote you at the minimum. So when you get out of your 2 week combat break you will be demoted to driver. However, I will request HQ to get you promoted to commander again... You are dismist." He salutes, i salute back and walk out of the office.

Present

I'm writing this On the second week of combat break, I should be back in a tank verry soon though. And don't worry about me I'll be back as commander verry soon just wait and see.

Air alert starts roaring "Oh sh*t." A bomb drops on the ammunition bay, destroying half the base. "JOHN!" he runs out, but far too late... The base was unopperational for two weeks, and after that he was sent home into combat retirement. He's fine now but every sunday he still salutes the grave of his friend.

~~RIP John Banning o7~~