Mjölnir

By Jack Igo

Come ride along and live the adventure of the men of Mjölnir (the name of the legendary hammer of Thor, the Norse god of war.) an eleven-man German special forces unit of World War II. A forward observation group for the German war machine, the Wehrmacht, and their panzer tank divisions.

Join them as they spearhead the advance through Europe, the occupation of France, the Normandy invasion, the fall of the thousand-year Reich, the occupation of Germany by Russian and Allied forces, to the final destinies of a unit called Mjölnir.

In honor of all the brave men and women on all sides of all wars, especially the veterans and current enlisted men in the armed forces of the United States of America, a percentage of the profits from the sale of this book will be donated to aid Veterans Affairs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662440151

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Mjölnir

Jack Igo

Copyright © 2022 Jack Igo

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-4014-4 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-4015-1 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Introduction

The German Wehrmacht was the greatest army on the face of the planet. No one before or after was better. There are many reasons for this, one of which was the German army was the best at waging war in every aspect. Good times or bad when things started to not go as expected, Germans, unlike many, do not break and run. The Germans wage war nonstop. If you had the misfortune of having to be at war with Germany, you never could rest unless you surrender or defeat them. The point is, when the war turned and the end was in sight for all sides, German and Allies, The Germans never quit; they fought superbly in the Bocage.

If not for Hitler realizing too late that Normandy actually was where the invasion was happening and not a decoy, had he committed his reserve forces, the Germans would quite possibly have thrown the Allies back into the sea on that June sixth day. As it was, they decimated the ally landing force. With the massive Red Army throwing inexhaustible numbers of troops, who were determined fighters had taken a heavy toll on Germany’s finite reserves of manpower.

The Americans had bided their time, letting Russia soften Germany up before entering the war. Russia could wait no longer. The USA must enter the war if there was to be any hope of defeating Germany. So it was Mjölnir never skipping a beat. War is killing maybe in new ways, maybe in new places, but killing is the end result.

Mjölnir was the best there ever was. The eleven greatest handpicked soldiers, combining to form the most elite unit in the world is an understatement. They did not lose; they never succumbed to the enemy. They hurt the enemy relentlessly, constantly outthinking the enemy. Never going with standard operating procedures, thinking outside of the box. Putting themselves inside the minds of their counterparts. When the US Army regiment expected mines, there weren’t any. When a US patrol expected an ambush, it never came. The US knew, however, when they had to take a beach, a bridge, or a town; they were in for a shitstorm. The likes of which they never imagined. From the top officers to the grunt on the beach, the Germans had the advantage, they were defending their homeland, mothers, fathers, wives, and children. The Germans fought with love and passion. There was no fear because they knew there was only death. They fought until that option was forced on them, taking every enemy of the fatherland they could before that happened.

Children fourteen to twelve years and younger were formed into assassination and terrorist groups called werewolves. When a country wages war, they must be prepared to go to that extreme. There is no partial war, only total war.

Chapter One

Belgium. May 1940, dusk.

The forward element of the Eighth Schutzstaffel (SS) Panzer Division called observation group Mjölnir (an eleven-man unit, the brainchild of SS Maj. Warner Kessler and Lt. Shep Dieter) descends quietly upon a small hamlet, the sun just setting. Lieutenant Dieter and senior NCO M.Sgt. Reinhart Wolfgang Kunze, known as Wolfie, lay on a small hilltop overlooking the small hamlet.

Lt. Shep Dieter looked through his binoculars. Wolfie, what do you see?

Perimeter’s got two light machine gun emplacements. I’m guessing can’t be more than two hundred troops. What do you have? Wolfie answered.

"That sounds about right, maybe a little higher. There’s a command bunker at the fork in the road with a radio setup. It must have been here for at least three days. The road leading out of town looks heavily traveled, but nothing for a few days.

Only three sentries posted watching the hills behind town seem comfortable in the fact all attacks will be coming from our direction. Sebastian and Axel should find great shooting positions. It looks like most of the troops are bivouacked in the barn on the north. Otto and Gunther should also have no problems setting up a kill zone.

All right, I think we have enough. No heavy artillery or tanks. Let’s brief the others.

Shep and Wolfie make their way back to the group who are carefully concealed in deep underbrush, all equipment concealed from land and air. Shep kneels down and clears a spot in the dirt and with a stick sketches the layout of the buildings in the hamlet. "We have five small buildings four in a square with a larger one in the middle which has the radio and is most likely the command headquarters with one larger barn to the northeast, which appears to house the bulk of the troops. The four smaller buildings, as you enter the town, the one at your seven o’clock is the henhouse, the one at eleven o’clock looks like four to five French Resistance soldiers, presumably scouts. One o’clock is the house with the light machine gun covering the road entering the town from the east manned by two guards. At five o’clock is another light machine gun manned by two British commandos covering the road entering town from the west. Wolfie, Heinrich, Hans, and Uhlrick will enter the town at 0100 hours. Hans will put small shape charges under the building at eleven and one o’clock, detonating them as soon as the firing starts. I’ll take a position eliminating anyone exiting those two buildings and the farmhouse. Uhlrick, you will do the same to the houses at seven and five keeping an eye on Wolfie and Heinrich. Sebastian you’ll set up a position on the small rise to the southeast, allowing you to direct fire on the houses at eleven and one o’clock. Axel, you’ll set up just inside the woods to the northeast and direct your fire on the farmhouse. Otto, Tomi, Gunther, you set up the MG 38 just to the north with your lines of fire on the front of the barn and the road going by the front. You should have a great field of fire down the road that runs north to south through town and feel free to let loose on the barn. Eric, you position yourself to the south of town and to my left taking out any targets coming out of buildings at 11, 7, and 5. I’ll be taking out any targets in buildings 5, 7, 1, and the barn.

"Wolfie and Heinrich will start it off when they breach the command hut, eliminating everyone. If no shots are fired, I’ll start taking out targets, at which time Hans will blow the buildings. We should have just enough moon for what we need to do. I’ll be in radio contact with Otto, Sebastian, and Hans.

Remember to maintain strict fire discipline. Let’s not get carried away. We just need to kill, not overkill. Tomi’s manning the MG 38. Otto, Gunther, Hans, and Uhlrick will all be on assault rifles. Sebastian, Axel, Eric, and myself will be on scoped Mausers. Wolfie, you’ll be going in with shotgun, MP 40, Luger, and that machete you call a knife. Remember no quarter.

Wolfie answered, This shouldn’t take more than half an hour if everything goes as planned. Wolfie pulled everyone in. Remember, we are the elite of the German Wehrmacht (war machine). We have to adhere to a higher code of ethics. Whether or not the rest of the army chooses to follow us is their decision. Take no pleasure in killing other than the knowledge that you took the life as quickly as possible. These men are here fighting and ready to die for what they believe in. We must honor that. We all come back, no mistakes, be sure of your targets. No injuries from friendly fire. Once shooting starts, no movement, stay in your shooting positions. We are Mjölnir!

Inside the hamlet a division of the first Royal Marines commandos had arrived two days earlier. They set up camp and waited for resupply and reinforcements, which were still a day away. The enemy forces, they believed, were also a couple days further west so they had no reason to be in a hurry. The men quickly relaxed unaware that life as they knew it would no longer be. The men were a lead detachment also, out looking for the enemy. The feeling was this war would be just like the last one, stretched out over long battle lines. However, when you are a country that has devoted everything during its one-thousand-year history to the art of warfare, openly nourishing an attitude toward new ideas, the last thing Germans do is the expected.

At 1200 hours the men of forward observation group Mjölnir prepared, checking weapons and ammo. Wolfie asks if Lieutenant Dieter will radio in to ask permission. Lieutenant Dieter says he will not risk being picked up by the Brits and tipping them off with his radio transmission.

Observation group Mjölnir went over the operation one more time. Wolfie said, It’s time (the group gathers around, everyone calm) maintain fire discipline. We take no joy in the taking of lives. But pride in the efficiency with which we do a necessary task. No one gets killed unless I say so. Wolfie went around to each man, putting his hand on their shoulder and giving a slight helmet-to-helmet bump too soft to be heard. Then he tapped Sebastian, Axel, and Eric to head out and establish position first. After allowing time, he sent Hans and Uhlrick. Shep has moved into position as Otto, Tomi, and Gunther move on past Shep and into their position. Finally Wolfie and Heinrich moved in like shadows making their way to the command hut. Heinrich stayed back a few feet as Wolfie got to the door and put his ear against it.

As Wolfie was doing this, he flashed back. His mind floating above the clouds flying through the air back to the time he last saw his father. A refugee camp in post-World War I France. French soldiers are insulting and pushing people along. A sea of refugees, horse-drawn carriages on muddy roads.

In the middle of an intersection, twenty to thirty French soldiers have a German soldier POW stripped to the waist. Loosely shackled hands and feet with heavy iron chains and secured to the wall of a well in the center of the intersection. The French are taunting and spitting on the German, who stands complacent, as if he is alone unaware of the soldiers and their taunts. He is deep in thought. (The bird’s eye view flies down and seems as if to enter the German soldier’s body.) The soldier’s eyes open, and his head is raised by a riding crop. The officer in charge, standing in front of the soldier holding the crop under his chin, asks the soldier, What is your name? The soldier looks through the French officer and says nothing. The officer cracks the soldier across the face (the French soldiers laugh and cheer); he asks him his name again. This time the soldier focuses on the officer who swallows and looks down for a second. Then the soldier answers, Bruno Kunze, mon general. The French officer says, What is your rank? Bruno answers, I thought the war was over.

The French officer cracks him across the face again. You will be shot at sunrise for crimes against humanity.

A young Wolfie makes his way through the crowd and looks at the French officer and the prisoner chained to the wall.

I doubt that, mon general, says Bruno. And why is that? replies the officer.

You won’t find a French soldier who can shoot straight enough to hit me standing still, mon general. Again, cracked with the crop by the French officer who says, Nevertheless, we’ll give it a shot.

Bruno lays down in the mud. As he closes his eyes, darkness falls. Wolfie makes his way through and behind the hedgerow without making a sound, till he is at the roadside. Wolfie calls softly, Papa. Bruno answers questioningly, Wolfie?

Wolfie crawls over and hugs him around the neck. Bruno is careful not to make any noise with the chains and puts his arm around Wolfie. They hold each other without noise for a few minutes. Finally, Bruno’s voice cracking and says, Wolfie, my son, you must return to our fatherland, Germany. See if you have any family left. But no matter, you will never be alone once you return to the fatherland because you, Wolfie, are a Germanic warrior. Your family’s ancestry goes back to the Vikings and a ferocious clan of berserkers. My time ends now. Yours is only beginning. Wolfie, you will be the greatest and most ferocious warrior to ever walk the earth. When you roar and free the beast, Satan will quake at the gates of hell.

They fall asleep together for a short time and are awakened by a fox returning from his nightly hunt. Bruno hugs Wolfie, careful not to rattle his chains until he sees the eastern skies start to lighten. He holds him at arm’s length, and they take a long look at each other. A last kiss and Bruno pushes Wolfie away saying, Run to your home. Run to Germany, Wolfie, don’t look back.

Wolfie runs off just out of sight and finds a spot overlooking the well and his father. Wolfie hears the rattling of sabers and rifles being shouldered. A snare drum begins a steady beat as the soldiers begin their march to the well, twenty soldiers led by the French officer.

Bruno pretends to be sleeping, allowing the French to take their positions and the French lieutenant to arrive at attention in front of him and to be addressed. The French lieutenant says in a commanding voice, German swine, it’s time to die.

Bruno, stretching and yawning, sarcastically says, Ahh room service. I’d love one of your omelets and a cup of this coffee everyone is talking about.

Unfortunately, we don’t afford swine such luxuries. The French lieutenant kicks Bruno, telling him to rise. Bruno slowly rises. The French lieutenant holds the riding crop under Bruno’s chin and looks at the side of Bruno’s face that he had whipped the evening before and comments, For a German swine, you heal remarkably well.

Well, that and the fact you hit like a girl.

The French lieutenant strikes Bruno across the face opening a gash on his cheek. (Bruno licks his lips and tastes blood.) Finally, you’ve drawn blood. The French soldiers laugh. The lieutenant is taken aback a little bit and hits him again. That’s starting to sting.

If you would like to die slowly and entertain the troops for a short time, I have a fellow Frenchman by the name of black Jacques La Montagnier that would very much like to meet you, and make your death a painful one. The French lieutenant turns to a soldier. Private, bring me Sergeant La Montagnier!

Well, if it’s for the troops, replies Bruno. Well, monsieur, it will be very entertaining for all of us who are French, but for you who are German, not so much, says the lieutenant.

A crowd gathers as the sun has reached higher into the morning sky. Wolfie from his vantage point can see and hear everything clearly. He is quite proud of his father, seeing him for really the first and what will be the last time. There’s a commotion on one of the roads leading to the well as a mountain of a man enters the intersection.

German pig, allow me to introduce you to Sgt. Jacques la Montagnier. The sergeant takes off his trench coat and reveals a six-foot-six, two-hundred-and-fifty-pound Goliath of a man. Bruno appears speechless, much to the delight of the French lieutenant and troops. As I said, swine, entertaining for us. Sergeant, beat this man beyond recognition.

Avec pleasure, answers Jacques.

Jacques takes a step forward and throws a ponderous arching right. Bruno, in the blink of an eye, moves slightly, wraps Jacques’s arm around the wrist with his chain, rolls his body up the back of Jacques, and, with a loud audible crack, snaps his arm at the elbow. In one continuous motion with his military boot, Bruno kicks the side of Jacques’s knee cracking it, collapsing him to his knees. Bruno grabs the back of his head and pulls it back by the hair. With both hands around his head, Bruno sucks one eyeball out of Jacques’s head with his mouth and then the other one. Jacques lets out a horrific scream of agony. Bruno stepping back asks, Do you think he enjoys the view, mon general? Everyone stares agape in horror. A soldier charges Bruno and goes to hit him with the butt of the rifle. Bruno leans back avoiding the butt of the rifle, wrapping up the gun and arm with his chain, aiming the rifle and firing it into the other soldiers getting off three shots, killing three soldiers before the gun jams. He says, French piece of crap. Bruno with the bayonet runs through a charging soldier, taking his rifle, spinning it over the soldier’s shoulder and while using the soldier as a shield, shoots and kills three more before running out of ammunition. By this time, the rest of the squad have come to their senses, rushing Bruno. With sheer numbers bring him to the ground, the lieutenant stands behind Bruno as he is held and pulls his head back. Bruno stares directly into Wolfie’s eyes, mouthing I love you and screams Wolfie. At which time the French lieutenant shoots him in the back of the head.

Wolfie turns and runs while his father’s scream continues on after the report of the gun.

The bird’s-eye view zoomed down on Wolfie at the door of the command hut with Heinrich behind watching Wolfie’s hand signals. Wolfie put his ear to the door and rose to another level of being. Wolfie can’t explain the metamorphosis and didn’t bother to try. All he knew was that he becomes aware of everything. On the other side of the door, Wolfie, in his heightened state, was conscious of the five bodies in the room. Wolfie opened the latch without a sound and slowly opened the door. Heinrich with his semiauto at the ready four feet behind. In the soft low candlelight he sees a soldier sitting at a table dozing quietly. Wolfie entered the room, already aware of the other four bodies in the corner of the room on two bunk beds and the door on the other side of the table the soldier was dozing at leading into the communications room.

Without a sound, Wolfie, with the seamless precision of a surgeon, covered the private’s mouth and slid his razor-sharp double-edge German steel blade down and inside of the clavicle bone at the junction of the neck and shoulder at a slight angle pushing seven inches of steel down. It sliced the carotid artery piercing the heart. Withdrawing, cleaning the blade with thumb and forefinger in one motion. Quietly, swiftly, deadly, Wolfie continued placing his hand over the mouth, pushing the blade through the neck and withdrawing. The victim was dead before the blade was cleared. One after the other, all four were gone in what seemed like less than a heartbeat. Wolfie, at the door of the radio room, can hear the hum of a ham radio. Still in his heightened state, knife cleaned and in its sheath, and with .9 millimeter Luger in hand, Wolfie pushed the door open and fired two rounds, placing each in the forehead of the two radio operators in the room. With that, the light machine guns in the two other huts opened up, firing blindly out to their perimeter. Two explosions follow as the huts were demolished. With that, Tomi’s MG 38 opened up with laser precision on the barn, in a hail of lead saturates it, cutting it in half. Sebastian, Axel, and Eric opened up each locating targets of opportunity and eliminating them with godlike precision. Hans, Uhlrick, Wolfie, and Heinrich kept close watch from their positions inside the compound.

After fifteen minutes, Wolfie signaled Heinrich, who radios the ceasefire the MG 38 shuts down. Everyone stayed in place until Sebastian and Axel gave the all clear. Hans, Uhlrick, Wolfie, and Heinrich spread out around the compound eliminating any who were still alive. Sebastian was keeping watch over the four in the compound. Axel headed up the road a couple of miles to make sure nothing is going to catch them by surprise. Eric and Sebastian stayed in place while Shep headed down into the compound to the command post, pulling out the bodies and started going through them for any intelligence. Heinrich joined him and started setting up communications to radio Eighth Panzer.

Hans, Uhlrick, and Wolfie pulled all the bodies behind the barn, going through pockets for any additional intelligence. After that they stockpiled weapons and ammo. Axel, Sebastian, and Eric stay in place and take the first perimeter watch as the sun climbs higher into the sky.

The group made camp. Tomi was the first to enter and, going to one corner of the room, set up shop and started breaking down his MG 38. Otto went over to him and, putting his hand on his shoulder and looking him in the eye, said, That was outstanding efficiency. Tomi replied, Thank you, sir. May I clean your weapon? Otto was a little taken aback and gratefully accepted. Tomi retrieved his weapons. As he was returning to his corner, Gunther came in, also making a point of going over, clapping and holding for a second Tomi’s shoulder. Tomi nodded and bashfully looked away. As each soldier filed in, they went by Tomi, acknowledging his role in the mission. He was momentarily overcome with emotion. After a moment he asked each man if he may clean their weapons. They gratefully accepted. Wolfie was the last to enter having checked on Sebastian, Axel, and Eric. As he walked in, first Otto quietly said to Wolfie (in regard to Tomi), He’s a natural. Never have I seen anyone perform like that their first time in combat. As soon as Otto finished, Gunther added, Amazing shot, the kid has the eye. Perfect timing on the barrel change. I’d go into battle with him anytime. Finally, Wolfie made his way over to where Tomi had set up a small workstation and was cleaning the assault rifles. Wolfie stood and, looking down, lay his hand on his shoulder and softly said, You’ve received high praise from a couple of hard men who don’t impress easily. That was fine shooting out there today, I’m proud of you. Tomi, looking up, said very quietly, voice cracking a little, Thank you, sir. Then asked, May I clean your weapons, Sergeant? Wolfie answered, Yes, you can.

Mjölnir enjoyed four chickens along with eggs, bread, and sausage confiscated from the French along with two cases of wine. Heinrich had been in contact with the Eighth Panzer, Fifth Armored Division. They were still at least a day behind. Tomi, Otto, and Gunther cleaned all weapons. As the hamlet was put back in reasonable order, the sun started to set. Eric, Uhlrick, and Hans, after getting a good nap, took the first perimeter watch. More concerned with being mistaken for French than actually being attacked by the French, they chanced it and raised the German flag.

Otto and Gunther prepared the meal while others find and wash plates and cups. With the aroma from the meal cooking in the fireplace, weapons stored and uniforms removed, the facade of war started to melt away, revealing a very warm family home life among the group. The meal was served—Otto and Gunter have prepared a magnificent meal—the men sat down to eat. Gunther excused himself and brought the men on perimeter duty a hot meal and coffee. There was little talk as the men eat their fill. As they reached their limits, Gunther returned and prepared himself a plate and joined the rest at the table. Chairs started to push back from the table and tipped back. Bottles of wine were opened and passed around. Wolfie rolled a marijuana cigarette and lighted it, inhaling deeply and held it. Heinrich reached Wolfie passed it; Heinrich did the same. Things were about as good as it could get for a young German soldier.

The talk turned to home and how well the country was doing. How Herr Hitler has got the economy thriving, people were back to work, all the building projects underway and the modernization of Germany. Shep remembered how four hundred thousand were unemployed after World War I—everyone was broke, no jobs. None of the other countries would do anything to help; they all gave us the heel of their boots.

War is hell and should be hell, so men received no joy in it other than to be done with it. Wolfie told of having his aunt take him in and care for him until he joined the Hitler Youth. The Hitler Youth provided everything for a growing boy/young man. He would spend holidays back on his aunt’s farm until she passed away. How he entered the Wehrmacht which provided him with the best training and equipment in the world. The camaraderie with men all wanting to achieve the same goal, establishing Germany as the world’s superpower so that our children and our children’s children will have an idyllic life not knowing the meaning of war. The youth organizations were able to point children to the areas they enjoyed and showed the most aptitude in. Our aptitude is war, and Germany has always been a warrior society.

Sebastian told of a time when he was fifteen and fell in love with a Jewish girl. If it were up to him, he would still be with her, but they took her family in the middle of the night.

Shep said, In most situations, people should be judged on an individual basis, but in times like these when change needs to be drastic and timely, sometimes bad things happen to good people when it’s for the greater good of the German people. Axel said, The propagandist against the Nazis portrayed the worst of what’s happening. They don’t show the good, the employment, the quality of life.

Wolfie added, Propagandist will show the extreme of both ends of the spectrum of life in Germany. We have to believe that Herr Hitler has the best in mind for Germany and concern ourselves only with that which we have control over. (He takes a long pull on the joint; he hands it to Heinrich again.) Others drank from the bottles of wine and passed them around. Tomi has cleaned everyone’s weapon and says to Shep and Wolfie, I’ll catch a couple hours sleep and relieve one of the watch if you like, sir. Shep looks up. You did good today, soldier, that will be fine. Get some sleep. Tomi said, Thank you, sir" and saluted.

Shep said, We all need some sleep. I’ll take first watch as well. Wolfie answered, I’ll join you. Otto, Gunther, and the rest straighten up, secure their weapons then turn in. The night passed uneventfully.

The troops were awakened by the smell of eggs, ham, sausage, warm bread with butter and tea, prepared by Otto. Shep and Heinrich came out of the communication shack and headed to the table. Hans ate quickly and headed out to relieve the sentry. As everyone else sat down to eat, Shep explained they’ll be moving out after breakfast to probe further into France until making enemy contact.

Axel asked, How are our ammunitions? Gunther replied, We’ll be fine as long as we avoid any prolonged firefights that turn into pitch battles.

How will we advance? asked Otto. Shep answered, We’ll form a fast strike column. Motorcycle with MG 38 on the sidecar up front followed by the APC and another motorcycle with MG 38 on the sidecar in rear guard full speed all the way. As soon as we draw fire we pull back and radio into division.

Wolfie, changing the subject, talked about becoming the greatest warrior and the opportunity that Mjölnir allowed for the practice. Wolfie was using this war to perfect his skills. There is never clearly right or clearly wrong. In war, there is only war. Germany has always been a warrior society, and I am from a race of warriors. So I will use this war to hone my skills as a hunter, in this case of humans. You must know your prey and how it reacts. This we have studied. There is something very pure in being a warrior. It’s you against your foe who is trying to kill you. I find myself the calmest when I am in the middle of battle. I suppose it comes from my belief that everything in the universe is one living thing. As long as my actions are pure in spirit and I release myself totally in this belief, eventually, I will become part of the pure total energy of the universe. That what we call death or believe that to be is just another stage a soul must go through to attain the ultimate state of being. This helps me get myself into my state of ‘being’ prior to battle. I feel like I’m not in my body and that my body doesn’t even exist. It’s like I’m making it happen by thought. When I allow myself to let go, it’s like letting yourself fall backward into a pool of water. It is as if I can see through walls, doors, and in the dark. I know what other people are going to do before they do. Wanting to kill in the most precise, painless, and as close to instantaneous as possible. To do this every time would be to achieve perfection. The action must be spontaneous and decisive.

Chapter Two

The next morning Shep called the unit together to take stocks of ammo and provisions. Both are in good supply. Division has left it up to us. We can wait or push on. They are about a half a day behind us. (Everyone nods to push on.) That’s what I told them. So let’s grab a quick meal and hit the trail.

The men made a bowl of what Otto has cooking in the fireplace along with a cup of coffee and go to their bunk and started gearing up for the road.

Tomi pulled up first on motorcycle; Gunther in the sidecar with the MG 38 attached. Heinrich with Wolfie in the sidecar on the MG 38 will take the lead. Uhlrick drove the APC with Otto next to him on the MG 38; Shep directly behind Uhlrick had his FG42 assault rifle. Sebastian and Axel were on either side of the APC; both have their trusty scoped K98 Mausers looking out to the horizon. Hans on radio and Eric securing the rear with the provisions, weapons, and ammo—both with assault rifles. They pulled out—Wolfie and Heinrich in the lead followed by the APC while Tomi and Gunther were securing the rear. The unit went into high gear hitting the road at high speed. After a couple of hours of racing along the road, Wolfie and Heinrich have created a small gap of about two and a half kilometers; they pulled over on the crest of a hill to take a view of what lies ahead. There Wolfie looked through his binoculars and saw a trail of dust rising above a small hill, and as he continued to watch, he saw at first one followed by two more and by two more again of what appeared to be a column of French soldiers marching along the road. Wolfie counted fifty infantry with at least three officers.

Heinrick radioed back to Shep a sitrep telling him to be careful not to give themselves away with a dust cloud or noise. As he watched the column marching along, Wolfie noticed a place in the road approximately two hours in front of the column, a rising bluff that cuts across the valley floor. The road runs alongside, blind to the road that Wolfie and Heinrick are on. The rest of Mjölnir arrived. Shep joined Wolfie on the crest of the hill. Through his own glasses he quickly picked up the French column. Wolfie pointed out the bluff not too far from where they were. Suggesting they stage behind the bluff, Tomi and Gunther in front with the MG38 then the APC. Heinrich and Wolfie will watch the column, and when they’re a hundred yards out from the intersection, they will go top speed and make the corner and head right at them, with Gunther making hamburger out of them. Everyone else will join in. We’ll tear right through them, toss a couple grenades at anything that looks like a radio, and head to Paris, no prolonged battle.

Seems like a good plan, Shep agreed.

They pulled the group together and went over the plan. They loaded up their weapons, and the troops were climbing into the APC grenades at the ready, ammunition easily at hand. Mjölnir formed up, started their engines, quietly running as Wolfie watched for the last minute. Getting down he slid into the sidecar bringing up the rear. Giving the go-ahead to Tomi who gunned his cycle and headed to the intersection. Uhlrick was pushing the limits of the APC as he roared behind with Heinrich and Wolfie right on their tail. They hit the intersection and catapulted out of the turn going top speed, heading straight for the bewildered French column who were experiencing their last moments on earth. A stunned French lieutenant stood and received Gunther’s first few rounds from what is now a roaring MG 38. As the soldiers did their best to dive for cover, exactly what Wolfie hoped, they were dotted with multiple gunshot wounds as grenades were tossed in on either side. The mechanized unit was through the French column before the explosions went off. They kept going to push as far as they can into France, before pulling up. They made camp at what must have been the same spot the French column had camped. Coals were still hot on a couple of the cooking fires. Shep and Heinrich set up a como tent and radioed back to division.

While they wait for the division to get back to them, Sebastian and Axel set up perimeter defense with interlocking fields of fire along with a couple of booby traps, on the more likely directions of a sneak attack. Tomi went and cleaned everyone’s weapon not in use. Wolfie and Uhlrick performed maintenance on the vehicles, repairing a hose line on the APC. The only injury or damage incurred in the exchange with the French. Gunther and Otto set up dinner. Hans and Eric grabbed their bedrolls and got some shuteye; they will be the next watch. All this is done without one order being issued.

Wolfie and Uhlrick grabbed a seat by the main campfire. Wolfie immediately rolled a joint. Uhlrick poured coffee for both of them. Wolfie lighted up a fatty, took a deep pull, and handed it to Uhlrick who in turn did the same.

After a moment, Uhlrick (softly) said, We killed a lot of men for two days of fighting. Granted it was the French. Wolfie laughed, and Uhlrick smiled and continued, Should we ignore the fact of the number of sons, fathers, and brothers we just took from their families? Tomi joined them, pouring himself a cup of coffee; Shep and Heinrich followed. As they all sat down, the joint was passed. The rush of battle and war melted away. If ever there was esprit de corps, this was it.

Wolfie took another long pull and held it for what seemed like a lifetime, (and on this day right here it is) finally exhaling languidly. Slowly he replied, No, we can’t ever ignore it. We must always take reservation after the fact. We also can’t ignore our destinies, and that is, we are an elite warrior clan. When there is killing to be done, we are the ones who must do it. Absolving all others from having to do it, and thereby absolving ourselves. I feel like the mind or spirit, the essence that makes us aware can detach itself from the body to various degrees, which can be very beneficial. Almost like being asleep, but being able to control all that happens, like a puppeteer.

So you said that by us doing this killing it would keep others from having to do it, and when it is done that will be the end of it. If that’s so what becomes of us then? asked Uhlrick.

Wolfie said, One must always be ready to react quickly, for there will always be someone who threatens our way of life for any one of a number of reasons. That is why I’m using this war to hone my skills, becoming the best at my craft, which is eliminating those who need to be eliminated quickly, efficiently, honorably. We eleven are an elite society of warriors, living one of the rawest, purest lives a man can live. We ask no quarter, we give no quarter—this is war.

Sebastian and Axel came in after being relieved by Hans and Eric at their post. They heard Wolfie’s statement. Sebastian asked, And who do we do this all for? Do we do this all for Herr Hitler? Wolfie answered, No, we do it first for each other, then for Germany and family. Herr Hitler happens to be the leader of Germany.

Sebastian said, It’s best we learn our craft well, because there will never be a shortage of war. So we will always find employment.

Wolfie said, laughing, "You’re right, Sebastian. In my mind, ours is the finest path a man can travel his life on, well rounded. After having experienced war, he will value the things that really hold meaning in one’s life much closer, more dear. Someone who hasn’t experienced war takes the little things, the important things, for granted and without thought.

"War strips a man of the trappings of society. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a king or a pauper. If you can maintain that thinking, your senses become awakened. You feel a certain relationship to the earth and the entire universe that you can’t feel or are unaware of as society slowly blinds a person to this. Right now, we are at the perfect period of time for men like us. Lucky to be born German—we received the best nurturing, training, and education that a child destined to be a warrior could have been born to. With the possible exception of maybe the Spartans or a couple of warrior nations of the American Indian. The advantage we have over these other warrior societies is that we are backed and equipped with the best, most technologically advanced weapons and equipment in the history of the planet.

Men, my brothers, we are going to have a major effect on this war. Cutting a red swatch across Europe. The men all agree fervently, finish their meals, and go off to get sack time.

Shep headed over to the radio room, relieving Heinrich who’s been monitoring the radio and has picked up a French army message. Apparently, they still had no idea what Mjölnir had done so far. Shep wired the division and waited for a response, wanting to give his sitrep and get his next orders. Shep knew now is not the time to slow the advance. They must strike while the iron or hammer is hot.

Another reason for the efficiency and quality of the German army is the trust every man has for each other down the chain of command as well as up the chain. They allow personnel on the scene to make decisions and not have to wait for everyone up the chain to approve of a decision or action.

After giving his sitrep, he was asked how his supplies are. Shep felt he was okay without resupplying for three maybe five days, if they had no pitch battles.

Shep was anxious to press on. Division gave in, giving him the freedom to advance another day, putting them a good two days ahead of division and any resupply other than what they could scavenge as they went along. Food wouldn’t be a problem but ammunition might be. The French used an extremely wimpy .7 mm for their sidearms and rifles; both were unusable for Mjölnir. For the moment Mjölnir could choose the time and place for any skirmishes. Shep decided quickly to take advantage of the element of surprise for as long as they had it.

The next morning, bright and early, Mjölnir would push on to Paris. It was another beautiful sunny, warm spring day in the French countryside, a beautiful day for a drive. Mjölnir mounted up the same formation except Heinrich with Wolfie in the sidecar took point. Tomi with Gunther in the sidecar was the back door. After breakfast, prepared by Otto and Gunther, a shave, and a bath, once again they are speeding down the road. The swiftest most lethal mobile killing unit ever seen on the planet Earth, and probably never will be seen again.

Chapter Three

Wolfie and Heinrich gained a little bit of a lead as they push hard. As the sun reached its zenith, they spotted a small hamlet. They got eyes on the village. Heinrick and Wolfie both observed the hamlet for the thirty minutes it took the rest of Mjölnir to join them. They pulled the equipment to the side of the road. Shep joined Wolfie and Heinrich overlooking the hamlet. It appeared as a quiet unsuspecting village going about the daily functions of what appears to be a dairy village. A herd of milking cows approximately three hundred to five hundred going through the milking houses. Outside of the small church, ten children and a young adult looked to be having school. There was also a smokehouse with pigs housed in stalls in a huge courtyard, with another six houses. It looked like a community of about fifty to seventy-five children and adults. Wolfie, Shep, and Heinrick were joined by Sebastian and Axel; they discussed their next move.

Wolfie confidently said, I don’t anticipate any resistance. I say we try to instill goodwill. They know nothing of what we’ve done up till now. We should offer some medical supplies, gasoline, and not ask or take anything. Shep and the others all nodded watching the town intently.

Shep said, I agree a little goodwill goes a long way, but we can never underestimate our adversaries. We are at war, and they are our enemies. We’ll drive down in force but at a slow pace and relaxed fashion. Sebastian, Axel, and Eric, you position yourselves keeping the town under scope for anything breaking from the norm, and I mean anything, we’re not losing anyone to some farmer. Axel, you stay in radio communication with Heinrich. He’ll keep you informed about our progress, alerting us to anything you think we need to know. It’s shoot first for everyone.

They lined up with Heinrich and Wolfie out front and Uhlrick driving the APC. Otto was on the MG 38 while Hans was backing up on FG42 along with Shep. Tomi with Gunther, in the sidecar of the last motorcycle, closed the back door.

After Sebastian, Axel, and Eric got in position, they cruised down a couple of ticks below full speed but at a good clip. Guns locked and loaded ready to rock and roll in a heartbeat. They stormed into what appeared to be the middle of town; the APC pulled up and turned so that the guns are pointing forward toward the buildings. The motorcycles do a quick sweep around pulling up on either side of the APC. Heinrich did a como check with Axel, and everything was clear.

Shep and Hans jumped out of the APC and ordered everyone out of the buildings. Wolfie got out of the sidecar and helped a couple out of the buildings and lined up in the square. Once they said everyone was out, Shep, Hans, and Wolfie went house to house looking for weapons or radio equipment. All they found was a couple of single-shot 12-gauge shotguns obviously for hunting along with one bolt action rifle most likely for larger game. Mjölnir held on to the guns while they were in town. After the houses have been searched, Heinrick explained to the townspeople that they were not here to harm civilians in any way, that they were just passing through. But as it was so close to dusk, they would bivouac in the town square. The mayor of the town