Chapter 4

The sun had barely broken the horizon as Heinrich climbed into a Messerschmitt. The runway was dimly lit as the planes made their way out onto it. It was not a long flight to their target, but they wanted to be sure that the enemy did not try get there before them, and so they could take out any enemies on the way there. As the horizon began to light up, the planes took flight, heading for France.

Time: 08:35 a.m.

“We got word that the enemy has a train heading for Paris, carrying tanks. By the looks of things, it will arrive there this afternoon, which could lead to an overnight invasion.” Said Captain Clark to the other pilots.

“Your mission will be to get in and destroy that train before it gets there, take out any artillery that may be protecting it. Are your orders clear?”

“Yes sir.” The pilots responded. They left the room and made their way to the hanger. The barge balloons were lowered as the planes made their way to the runway. Chris started his Spitfire, which had been loaded with eight rockets for this mission. He was not sure why he felt such a rage building up inside of him. He was always calm before a flight but now, he felt like he wanted to shoot down every enemy plane that he could.

Time: 09:14 a.m.

The Panza platoon left the hidden base and began approaching London, there treads stirring up the dirt as they slowly converged. Nobody said a word, there was only the sound of the tanks slowly moving across the open land. Just then, a shot rang out and one of the Panza’s exploded.

“Tank fire, ready weapons!" one of the operators yelled.

Not far off was a platoon of Mk VII Cavalier’s which had been situated a few kilometers outside of the city as a precautionary defense. The Cavalier’s moved in and the Panza’s readied to engage. The sounds of cannon fire echoed as the tanks converged, another Panza getting destroyed. The Panza’s fired back, managing to destroy one of the Cavalier’s. The Cavalier’s seized their approach a few meters away from the converging Panza’s. One of the Panza’s rolled forwards, before one of its treads were destroyed by a landmine. The other Panza’s pulled back, away from the mine field and continued their assault. Once they had delt with the Cavalier’s they would have to find another way around. The air split with the sounds of cannon fire, each side taking heavy losses.

However, the firing stopped when another sound split the air. A sound neither side had ever heard before. Then there was another sound, like the beating of wings as a dark shadow moved over the battle. Both the British and the Germans looked into the sky.

“Look out!" One of the Panza operators yelled. Suddenly, the wreckage of a small German patrol boat fell from the sky, crushing one of the Panza’s. An explosion rang out as it burst into flames. A deafening roar filled the air and two Cavaliers were crushed under two giant red scaley feet, which had three sharp black claws on each. The Panza’s immediately turned their torrents on this thing and it was not long before the Cavaliers joined them.

Time: 10:57 a.m.

The Spitfire squadron flew over the land until the train tracks came into view.

“I have a visual on the escort, looks like this is going to be a tough one.” Radioed one of the pilots. Stationed along the tracks was a platoon of Sonderkraftfahrzeug 6 anti-aircraft vehicles.

“Alright, squadron, our main concern are the escort and the trains defences. Once those are down things will get much easier.” The squadron leader radioed.

The squadron began to dive as the anti-aircraft guns raised. They opened fire on the approaching squadron, which fired back. Chris dodged a shot before firing a rocket. The rocket struck true, destroying the anti-aircraft vehicle. The air filled with explosions as the squadron and anti-aircraft vehicles exchanged shots. One Spitfire avoided a shot, only for it to go off, destroying the plane’s tail. The plane spiralled down and collided with the ground, going up in flames. Chris dived for the ground before pulling up, flying dangerously low to the ground towards the anti-aircraft vehicles. One spotted him and lowered its guns. It fired and Chris managed to dodge before firing two rockets. One hit the attacking anti-aircraft vehicle and the second hit another. Chris pulled up into the air as the train got closer. Another Spitfire flew up beside him.

Suddenly, the second Spitfire was hit multiple times from beneath, losing a wing and falling. Chris quickly straightened and opened fire as a squadron of Messerschmitt’s approached. He sped towards them, guns blazing. He hit the leading one in the engine, causing an explosion. Debris from the plane fell, colliding with an anti-aircraft vehicle. The Spitfire squadron engaged the Messerschmitt’s whilst the remaining anti-aircraft vehicles fired on them. The sky erupted in a fierce battle, planes engaging in dogfights and explosions from the anti-aircraft guns going off. As the train approached, its anti-aircraft guns raised and fired as well.

Heinrich flew through the unfolding chaos, firing on a Spitfire, shooting off its wing. The plane fell from the sky. A Messerschmitt flew beside Heinrich and they approached two Spitfires. The four opened fire, Heinrich shooting down one Spitfire whilst the other shot down the Messerschmitt. Heinrich flew passed the Spitfire, barely glancing the pilot. Chris looked back, as if unable to believe who he saw. Something boiled within him as he turned back around. Heinrich did the same and they flew at each other, guns blazing. Moments before a collision, both pulled up, the undersides of the Spitfire and Messerschmitt almost touching. Both flipped, bringing their cockpits together. Chris looked down on Heinrich and Heinrich looked up at Chris. This confirmed who they were fighting. An anger, born from somewhere deep within, ran through them. They straightened out and separated. Chris quickly turned and fired on Heinrich, damaging his rudder. Heinrich dived and Chris followed. An anti-aircraft gun fired, and Chris barely evaded the shot. Seeing this, Heinrich turned and fired on Chris, damaging his wing and almost hitting his fuel tank. They zoomed past each other, Heinrich ascending higher and higher. Chris turned and followed but soon lost him. Heinrich circled up behind Chris and fired, almost taking out his wing. Chris pulled away but Heinrich stayed on him, ready for the killing shot. Hand on the trigger, he stopped. He watched Chris’s plane, in striking range; an enemy ready to be vanquished. But he could not bring himself to pull the trigger. What would Emma think of him if she found out.

Chris waited for the finishing shot, but it never came. For some reason, it just made him angrier.

“You had your chance.” He grumbled and pulled up, circling behind Heinrich and locking one of the rockets onto him. He gripped the trigger tight and attempted to fire, but his own hand disobeyed him. He growled under his breath and attempted again, but he still could not do it. Suddenly it played out in his head: if he pulled that trigger, he would kill Heinrich. It would not be long until Emma learnt of her brother’s death. Chris would not tell her that he did it, but the weight of comforting her, knowing damn well he caused that pain, would be too much to bear.

“It is your lucky day.” Chris pulled back and dived for the train. He fired, destroying its anti-aircraft guns. He shot ahead of it before turning and flying straight for it, readying a rocket.

“Heil this, Nazi scum.” He said and fired.

The rocket struck the train, destroying the locomotive. Debris flew from the explosion and the first transport wagon derailed.

Heinrich looked down and slammed his fist against the controls of his plane in anger. Chris flew back up, his plane coming beside Heinrich’s. The two looked at each other, as if staring each other down. Finally, they broke away from each other, flying off to their own squadrons.

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