Attack of The Dogmen

By Stephen Benson

May of 1945. Nazi Germany has surrendered, but strange things are happening in a small German village near the Bavarian Alps. War weary Lieutenant Xavier Wolf and his squad - a mix of battle hardened veterans and fresh recruits - have been tasked with a mission: Get to that village and find out who's there and what's going on. Accompanied by the brilliant Captain Margaret Quizno, the group discovers unexpected evil and a mysterious, beautiful young woman with a special gift. The war is over, but Wolf and his team must fight one last battle. They ultimately join forces with their former enemy, a small group of German soldiers, but will they survive their deadly encounter with killer Nazi dogmen?

• Language: English
• Publisher: apgroup
• Release date: May 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463812938

Stephen Benson

I am a lover of good books

Book preview

1

May 12, 1945, four days after Nazi Germany formally surrendered. Seventy miles south southeast of Munich, Germany.

A small military observation aircraft droned through a valley between two low, heavily forested mountain ranges near the Bavarian Alps. The L4 'Grasshopper' was piloted by Second Lieutenant Amos Zepper of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion. As part of the all African American unit, it was his job to spot artillery and find targets. He also flew frequent liaison missions, sometimes even transporting white officers to or from headquarters. Zep loved flying his little observation plane, and today he looked forward to an easy mission where the enemy wasn't likely to be shooting at him. Germany had surrendered a few days before, so for the first time since he'd arrived in Europe, Zep was relaxed and truly enjoying the view of the mountain ranges on either side of him.

In the seat next to him was Corporal William Smith whose usual duty was Observer, but he, like Zep, was mostly just enjoying the view. They were on their way to a tiny village nestled in the valley below a few miles further east. Today his job was to toss leaflets out over that village, letting them know that Germany had formally surrendered and that the war was over.

Word had gotten out that a small column of German Army vehicles might be headed in this general direction and it was suspected that they might not know the war is over. Some had suggested they may be headed for a last stand, but most of the brass believed if there were any Wehrmacht in that village, they were just hoping to avoid capture.

Zep backhanded Billy's arm. There it is, right where they said it would be. He pointed his finger down the valley.

Okay, I'm ready. Billy reached into the pouch on his lap and brought out a loose bundle of leaflets. He looked down at the bold print in plain black and white. What's this say, Zep?

Do I look like I can read German? He reached over and pulled Billy's jeep cap down over his eyes.

Billy shrugged sheepishly while straightening his hat.

They told me these leaflets are to tell the locals that the war is over, that Germany surrendered. Zep shook his head. We sure ain't flying out here with invitations to dinner.

Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

As the plane neared the village, Zep said, Now keep your eyes peeled. There was a C47 that came by here yesterday. I heard they had some kind of trouble and had to turn back. Guy told me they almost crashed. Said whatever happened had em spooked.

You got it.

The plane bucked in some turbulence. Damn wind in these valleys switches around something fierce. Think I'll go in about two hundred feet over town. That should scatter those leaflets real nice.

They were less than a mile out and, without warning, the engine died. Zep checked his few instruments. They were dead. What the... He tried to restart the engine but it failed to so much as turn over. Looks like we're going in, Billy.

Zep banked left and saw a narrow road down below. He decided it was their best chance so he banked left again and allowed the small, light aircraft to glide gently toward the road while continually trying to restart his engine. Man, it's like the battery just up and died on me.

They were barely above the trees when a strong updraft lifted them several feet. Zep rode it out and began his descent again. As they neared the tree tops, he tried the engine one last time. It started up and Zep took it to full throttle, gaining altitude nicely.

What happened, Zep?

Hell if I know. Ain't never had that happen before. That's kind of like what that guy told me about the C47 that flew over here. I'm thinking maybe we toss those leaflets out and head home. What you think?

Engine seems fine now. Maybe we could give it one more try? Billy was always eager to get the job done.

Yeah, you're probably right. As a precaution, Zep told Billy to radio in that they were having engine trouble. Headquarters tried to reply, but reception was so poor that they gave up and he turned his plane back toward the little village. We'll go in a bit higher this time.

Zep pulled back on the stick for a few seconds and leveled out. He guided the small craft down the valley for a full minute without incident. Okay then, looks like we're gonna be just fine. The words were no sooner out of his mouth when the engine died again.

Billy shook his head. You just had to say something, didn't ya?

Damn. I'll bring it around and land on that road.

Zep tried to restart the engine repeatedly as he expertly adjusted for the wind switching around the mountain sides and brought the plane low over the tree tops. He gauged that there was just enough room to land and maybe not tear his wings off when an updraft pushed the light plane several feet upwards. Zep countered with his controls and maintained his descent. With a last desperate try, the engine started again. He gave it full throttle and eased back on the stick, but his right wing ripped into a tree top. Zep worked his controls and managed to keep the little aircraft level. He looked to his right and could see wing material fluttering in the wind. He shouted, I don't think we're gonna make it far, Billy. Better hang on to something!

He held the flight control stick hard to the left just to stay airborne and expertly worked the rudder. Zep saw that the road, less than a hundred feet below them, straightened out for a hundred yards or so. Again shouting, he said, I'll try to set her down on the road! He eased the craft down to just above the tree tops and with considerable skill, lined up the road below. Suddenly a powerful crosswind flipped them hard to the right.

Zep and Billy had just enough time to shout in unison, Oh shit! before the plane side-slipped into the trees with a loud screech of tearing metal and snapping tree limbs.

Zep woke several minutes later with Billy gently patting him on the face.

Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey. Billy shot him an encouraging smile. You had me worried. He was perched awkwardly on the nearly upside down roof of the plane, straddling the open door.

Zep blinked several times to get his eyes to focus. He saw the green of tree limbs all around him, a couple of which protruded into the cockpit. How long was I out?

Not long. You took a blow to the head, but even worse, there's a tree branch run clean through your leg.

Zep let his vision clear for a moment then assessed his situation. His head was aching severely and he felt a dull pain in his left calf. He tried to move his leg but it was held fast, and the movement only worsened the pain. Help me outa here, Billy.

Ain't no use. That branch is too big to break and I ain't got a saw to cut with. And my knife fell out of its sheath in the crash. I climbed down and looked for it, but there's way too much debris and pine needles down there on the forest floor. Man, I sure liked that knife, too. Hate to say it Zep, but you're pinned real good.

Zep closed his eyes for a moment to think. He was trapped forty feet off the ground, upside down, with a gigantic knot on his head, and it made him nauseous. Try the radio.

I done did. Ain't nothing getting out or in. We're too far down in this valley.

Okay. Zep took a deep breath of air to clear his head. You think you could make it to the village, maybe bring back some help?

Yes sir. It's not bad climbing down to the ground. After that it'll be a short walk to that village. Can't be more'n a few miles at most.

Zep gestured for Billy to move back and then vomited, most of which cleared the plane's small, open door and rained to the ground.

Sir, I think you just might have a concussion. I better get going.

Nodding as he wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, Zep agreed, Okay, good thinking, Billy. Don't forget your revolver, and good luck.

Billy patted his holster and said, I never go anywhere without my six shooter. Sure glad I didn't lose it in the crash like my knife. He smiled and winked. Be back before you know it.

Zep watched as he carefully climbed down the tall pine tree. His vision blurrednow and then, but he saw Billy make it safely down.

Once on the ground Billy looked back up at Zep, gave him a thumbs up, and called out, I'll be right back.

He headed off in the direction of the village but after only a few feet Zep heard him say, Hey, someone's coming. A few seconds later Billy shouted, What the hell?

Zep barely had time to ask, What's wrong? He heard two gunshots, a pause, and four more shots in quick succession. Then he heard a terrible scream.

Billy! Billy, you okay? Billy? Through the intervening tree branches Zep saw movement. He could see what appeared to be two men wearing torn and tattered clothing with hairy, semi-human limbs. In horror he realized they weren't men, but some kind of gaunt, doglike creatures. After a moment a hideous figure moved into the open and looked directly up at him, its face and jaws covered in blood. It stared at Zep for a few seconds, then ignored him and went back to what it was doing; eating Billy.

Zep struggled against the pain to pull his leg free but the effort was hopeless. He felt his vision darken and his head begin to spin. He reached for his forty five automatic service pistol, clawed weakly at the holster, and passed out.

2

Captain Robert Charles III, commander of Baker Company, 4th Ranger Battalion, watched as a few soldiers mounted a fifty caliber machine gun and loaded ammunition onto the back of an M3 half-track. He was well liked by his men and was affectionately known as 'Charlie Three.'

He was looking forward to this mission. High Command had received information that a small band of German Waffen-SS might be holed up in a small, nameless village near the Bavarian Alps. Radio communication in those forested valleys was sketchy at best, so command assumed that any German soldiers up there probably didn't know that the war was over. Germany had formally surrendered a week previous, but Charlie Three was a seasoned soldier and a cautious man, so he wanted to be prepared in case any Nazis were there for a last stand. If they wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, he would be more than willing to oblige.

Just as the last of the ammo was loaded on the truck, a young private trotted up to the captain, saluted, and handed him a note. Charlie Three returned the private's salute and dismissed him. He read the brief note and shouted, You gotta be kiddin' me!

He hopped into a jeep and drove the short distance to HQ. As he entered the building a lieutenant recognized him and said, Go right in. The colonel's expecting you.

Charlie Three went through a door marked with a silver oak leaf and saluted. Seated behind a huge, overly ornate desk was Lieutenant Colonel C.E. Langworthy. He was smoking a cigar while reading a dossier. At ease, Captain. I assumed you would be coming.

Charlie Three stepped forward and said, Sir, with all due respect, this was my mission. Major Bota ordered me to take Company B up there and accept the surrender, capture, or kill any Nazis that might be in that village. There may be more of them than we realize, or they may be willing to put up a fight.

I appreciate your concern, Captain, but I doubt there are any Nazis in that village, and if there are they're probably eager to surrender. We had a couple planes fly over and drop leaflets.

Yes sir, and it's my understanding that one of those planes never returned. They may have been shot down.

Colonel Langworthy let out a small, patronizing laugh and replied, No, we received a radio communication from them complaining of engine trouble. It was garbled, but there was no mention of enemy fire. That's part of the reason I want a small, fast moving squad to get up there. Those fly boys might need help. Have a seat.

After Charlie Three sat, the colonel slid a dossier toward him. I want this officer to lead a squad of men up there. Have them perform a quick search in the area for that downed plane, of course, and if there are any German soldiers in that village, well, they can accept their surrender and escort them back so we can get them processed and sent home.

Captain Charles picked up the folder. It was labeled 'Wolf, X. X., First Lieutenant.' Charlie Three knew that Xavier Xander Wolf was one of the finest combat officers in Baker Company, probably in the entire Fourth Battalion, but he felt it was a mistake to send in such a small force. Sir, Lieutenant Wolf and his men are probably the best we have, but if I may say, I think it would be the better part of discretion to send in a company strength unit for this job.

"That's right, Captain. Lieutenant Wolf is the only man in the entire brigade to have received a