1st Marine Raiders Book

[Griswold]

Chapter 1: The Storming of Normandy

Operation OVERLORD has begun, 1st Platoon is all packed into one transport. 1st Squad is in the front following on man TSgt. Maines. 2nd squad is following MSgt. Brown or Platoon's Senior NCO. 3rd Squad is following W.O. Berg onto the Beach. 2nd Platoon is in another transport off to our right and 3rd Platoon is off to our left. We are the first wave on the D-Day landings invasions of Omaha Beach.

1st Platoon is tasked with the clearing and destruction of the bunkers near and around the inital landing area. To start the wave, the U.S.S. Dauntless a South Dakota Class Battleship opens fire on the beach to soften up the German Defenses. Those in the transports watched the shells fly overhead and explode amid the line of the German Bunkers on the Beach. As the Germans scatter from there destoried bunkers our transport runs aground 5 feet from the beach.

"Keep your heads down!" said 2nd Lt. Jones. Jones known by Jonesy to the rest of the Platoon is 1st Platoon's C.O.. Now you might be wondering were i am in all this, i am 1st Platoon's Radio man. My name is TSgt. Griswold, I am tasked with following the 2nd Lt. onto the beach for comms back the fleet. "Keep your heads down!" Jonesy says again. "Magic and Fuji on me!" Jonesy says. "Get on the .30 Cals and watch the cliffs for movement!" " Yes, sir!" they replied. "Maines get ready on the door!" 2nd Lt. Jones said. "Yes, Sir! The door is ready to drop!" Maines said after getting to the controls. " 3... 2... 1... Drop!"

The Door drops with a ear shattering thud and 1st Squad out the drop within the next 20 seconds. The retreating germans open fire on the disembarking members of 1st Platoon to which the .30 cals open up with supporting fire. Less then a couple seconds later as 2nd Squad is getting ready to disembark and enemy MG targets the transport and bullets start bounceing of the side of the transport. "Elf! Get rid of the bloody MG!" Jones yells over the incoming fire. Using 2 fellow members to looks over the side wall of the transport with his trusty springfield in hand. "Hold still guys! Almost got him!" Elf yells over the incoming fire. Elf barely sticks his head over the transport wall and has a bead on the MG's head. Elf pulls the trigger and the MG goes silent. "Got him!" "Good there should no more disruptions. Get onto the beach!" Jones says. "Magic and Fuji bring the .30 Cals with you! Lets move people!" "Griswold!" Jones says. "Yes, sir!" "Radio the ship. Tell them to shift their fire away from us." Jones says. "On it Sir!" I reply.

"St. Denis, Pandalsson, and Sousa get up against the sea wall and blow it open using the explosives." Jones says. "Sir! I have orders from the fleet for you!" I say. "Here give that radio." Jones says. "Sousa bring the explosives over here!" St. Denis yells. "Roger that, its coming!" Sousa Replies. "All right sir, well get right on it. Alright gentlemen we got our orders we are to break through the enemy sea wall and set up a defendable postion up on the ridge!" Jones said. "We are already on it sir! Blowing the sea wall in 3... 2... 1... Fire!" St. Denis replied. "Sousa and Panda through the hole! Go!" "Lets go 1st Platoon through the gap!" Jones said. As 1st Platoon files through the gap, germans are spotted on top of the ridge. "Contact" Fujiwara screams as he starts up the .30 cal. "Continue up the hill, don't stop running!" Jonesy said. "Stop and take pot shots up the hill but dont stop moving for to long." As the germans fall to the allied fire a nearby machine bunker opens up on 1st platoon. "Man down!" Screams Wittman over the MG fire. "Get the Medics up here!" "Here we come!" replies Peurala. "Whats the problem?" Puerala asks "Baker is down that is the problem!" replies Wittman "Get him out of here!" "Hold on, Firth I need your help get up here!" Peurala yells to Firth. "I'm coming" Firth replies. "Get moving Wittman we don't need you going down too let the medics handle Baker!" Jones yells over the MG fire.

"Oh don't worry about me I'm going to get this god damn jerry for what he did to Baker!" Wittman replies. Wittman runs from cover and rushes to the front on the bunker. He runs inside the bunker punching a German in the face getting into the bunker. The next minute a thompson opens fire from inside the bunkers killing the MGs. Then the bunker blows up with wittman running out of the exploding bunker. "God damn germans got what they deserved!" Wittman says. "Nice job but keep moving Wittman up the hill!" Jones yells to Wittman. "Man down we need a medic up here!" Logue yells. "Avants is hit!" "Were coming just keeping moving!" replies Peurala as she and firth still try to celan up Baker.

"Come on fellas we are almost to the top!" Brown says. "LOOK OUT!" at that second a heavy battery fires on their position destroing a nearby bunker. "Get into cover!" Jones yells.

"Stay out of the line of sight!" Jones yells. "Griswold get the U.S.S. Dauntless on the line! Tell them to blow this thing sky high!" "Yes, sir! Come in Dauntless can you read me? This is TSgt. Griswold of the [1st MRB] 1st platoon requesting a fire mission over!" "Roger that, this is Dauntless, go ahead with your fire mission" replies Captain Englebretson. "We need a bunker about 200 m from our postion blown into the sky, you should able to see it on top of the hill on Omaha Beach!" "Roger that we see it, get ready for a fireworks show TSgt."

"Get Down!" I scream as the Dauntless unloads into the sky. "Here comes the Fire Mission Sir!" "Roger that, get ready for a fireworks display boys!" Jonesy says. The next minute the battery explodes into a great display of twisted metal and burning ammo. "Damn right! Germany we are coming for you!" Bickford says to the others. "OORAH" everyone replies. "Griswold radio back the Dauntless, tell them that the landings has succeeded and that we need a transport for Baker and Avants back to the Medical Ship." Jones says. "Everyone find a spot and hold down this area for the second wave. Our job for now is done!" Jones says. "OORAH Marines defend this spot for the second wave!" Maines yells. "OORAH" everyone replies.

End of Chapter 1

Edited February 4, 2012 by Maines 1st MRB
Chapter 3 Added

[Griswold]

Chapter 2: The Sacking of St-Lo

After the landings on D-Day the allies on Omaha Beach had set up a small but growing beach front. But not all was safe yet, the roaming German forces had hunkered down in a city not to far from the coast called St-Lo. Every day they continue to shell the shore from positions beyond the reach of the guns aboard the supporting ships in the channel. With more people being transported in from the channel is was time to strike back at the artillery that was pinning down the allied forces on the beach.

"TSgt. Griswold have you gotten a report from the fleet yet?" asked Jonesy. "I have sir, it seems after the landing on Omaha beach that 2nd Platoon was transferred to the Mediterranean front for support on the Invasion of Sicily." I replied "Good for them." Jonesy replied "What about 3rd Platoon?" He asked. "It seems that their transport blew up in the channel. It was hit by a mine out in shallow water. Reports keep coming in of members who escaped the blast but the numbers of who survived and who died are all over the place." I said. "So there is a chance that we could find some still here?" Jonesy asked. "In all likely hood, yes some may have escaped to shore." I reply. "Well lets hope we find some of 3rd Platoon." Jones said. "I hate to interrupt your conversation sir but Major Yamagata is here to see you." said Brown.

"Major, it is good to finally see you again." Jones said while saluting. "At ease, Lieutenant I came here in person to give you your next orders." Yama said. "Yes, Sir. What are our orders then sir?" Jonesy asked. "1st platoon is tasked with destroying the remnants of the Beach Defense Forces stationed in St-Lo." Yama told Jonesy. "Your are to enter the city, destroy any artillery units, and capture the town for the allied advance into France!" Yama said. "The Captain and I will be near the radio if support is needed. You have your orders Lieutenant. Move out!"

"Yes, Sir! First Platoon pack up your gear we move in 5 minutes" Jones Yelled. " Where are we going 2nd Lt.?" Thomas asked. "We go to war!" Jones replied. "Keep that rocket of yours handy PFC we will need it." "OORAH Sir!" Thomas replied. "Alright ladies and gentlemen onward we march!" Jones Yelled. "OORAH everyone replied."

On the road to St-Lo the marching raiders run across a little resistance on the outside of town. The Germans had setup a roadblock with bunkers flanking both sides of the road. And as if that weren't bad enough a panzer tank sat right in the middle of the road. "Sir there is no way we can get past the panzer and both bunkers." said Grant. "Sure we can, we got all the tools we need right here." Jones replied. "Petri and Tate set up your mortars and get ready to blow those bunkers up!" Jones said. "Thomas bring your rocket up here!" "Yes, Sir!" Thomas replied. "Fuji setup your MG and pin down those positions." Jones said "On my mark we open fire."

"3... 2... 1... FIRE!" At the command fire everyone in the platoon opens fire at the entrenched positions of the Germans. As the Platoon opens fire at the target the Panzer starts to lower its gun into Position. "Thomas get that tank, if you don't we all are are going to die here!" Jonesy yells. "On it Sir!" Thomas sets up his rocket and pulls the trigger to release the rocket. As soon as the rocket leaves the barrel the rocket flies into the barrel of the Panzer and blows the turret off of the top of the tank. "Panzer Down!" Thomas screams over the fire of his allies. "Good job, Petri and Tate where are those Mortars!" Jonesy yells while laying down supporting fire. "They are coming sir!" Petri replies. "3.. 2.. 1.. INCOMING!" Petri yells as he shoots his round into the air. The bunker explodes with a hole in the concrete roof the size of a bus. All fire coming from the left side of the road stops as the bunker bursts into flames. "3.. 2.. 1.. INCOMING!" as Tate fires his round. Tate's round lands short blowing a hole in the front of the bunker. One MG survives the blast but is quickly cut down by the advancing members of 1st Platoon.

With the road to St-Lo now clear more and more allied forces were moving inland. 1st platoon reaches the outskirts of St-Lo.

End of Chapter 2 so far

[Maines]

Chapter 3 - The Invasion of Sicily

Before the Invasion of D-Day in 1944, the 1st Marine Raiders 2nd Platoon had been given a task by Major Benjamin Parker. "Italy would be a task

that only Raiders can accomplish" he stated to Captain Geoffrey Gooderham, then CO of 2nd Platoon. "You know what to do. Invade Sicily, starting

at the town of Gela. Push the Italians back to their home country, then strike hard and give the British the edge they need to finish this war

with us. "Understood Sir. Dillon, start Rallying, we leave at 0900 hours." Sergeant Major Tyler Dillon had been at the Command of 2nd Platoon for

nearly 2 years, and he knew damn well what he was doing. "With Pleasure, Captain. Boys, and Lass, lets get hot!"

2nd Platoon was small enough to fit itself into only 2 boats. 12 in each boat, let by the one Captain Gooderham at the helm. The italians would

not let this invasion penetrate their defenses, as shots were fired from Anti Aircraft guns at the 2nd Platoons fire missions, rendering them

almost useless. They had proved a great distraction, as the mighty Raiders and their British backup, the British Eighth Army, landed on the

beach and scrambled their to different parts of the rather small town, hitting it hard from both directions. Dillon's squad, comprised of two

Master Sergeants, Matthew Sarsons and Gustavo Luna, and approximately 6 buck privates, lead by Staff Sergeant Smokey Magic, pushed the eastern

town gate, planting explosives at 3 key AA emplacements. Dillon was exceptionally proud of Staff Sergeant Magic and what was considered to be

Magic's protege, Private Nicholas Walts, for their amazing shots and multiple Italian Sniper's KIA.

The Western Group was under heavy fire at the Western Gate. The Italians must have known that Captain Gooderham was in that hail of fire, along

with Machine Gunner Specialist, First Sergeant Shea Magoo. "Private Peaker, Private Bryant, lay down covering fire on that small building so

Magoo can hit it from the other side of the Street!" The Captain called out, and to his pleasure, the orders were followed almost immediately, as

Peaker and Bryant's shots and grenades provided great protection for Magoo to set up his onslaught. At the same moment, Staff Sergeant Justin

Pangilinan, nicknamed "Pang" was holding down the fort with his M1918A2 BAR, picking off many assault troops and rifleman with insane distance

before catching an injury from shrapnel expelled by a grenade. "I'm still able to shoot, Damnit!! Try Harder next time assholes!" he cried out

as he obliterated the culprit with a one handed 10-round burst. Pang was a hell of a soldier, gaining 2 purple hearts in Sicily alone and went

on to become First Sergeant before Retiring in 1956.

After both gates were secured, the town hall was next in line. The one that stood out, in the Captain's mind at least, throughout all of Gela,

was the Sniper of the group. Sergeant Yanik St-Denis, The Canadian Crack Shot as his unit mates called him. in Gela alone, he knocked out 120

Italian soldiers, including 25 Snipers, 30 Close range hip shots, and even 2 tank drivers through the supposedly "impenetrable" steel of the

tank's armor. He was given a task that some U.S. OSS Officers wouldn't even be given the job to do: take out three German Officers at the town hall

and gain the intellegence they had with them. With the cover of 2nd Platoon at his side, the three Kraut officers were no chance for St-Denis'

Sniper skills, and he had gained intellegence of German Influence in Palermo, Sicily, a heavily guarded fortress town with reports of a new

Italian tank force in the works, lead by a Waffen SS Elite soldier. "Captain," said St-Denis "check out these reports!" Gooderham read intently

and chuckled, stating "these Waffen SS soldiers don't give up do they? Well it's time we headed to Palermo, and bombed the bloddy hell out of

them. "HOORAH!" yelled the marines, and they were then off to continue the next mission

Captain Geoffrey Gooderham would never know the dangers he was about to face in the fortress of Palermo. 2nd Platoon itself didn't know what

they were up against...

End of Chapter 3