By Jack Herriman II

"All units report in position and ready for the assault, General, " my aide

reported.

"Very well," I paused, feeling the high sense of expectation flowing

through the command bunker. Everyone there was aware of the importance of this

attack.

"Order both rocket battalions to commence firing at 0430. Then pass the

order for the first wave units to attack at 0500, followed by the second wave

units at 0700."

"At once, General," the aide hurried off to the radio room to do the

encryption himself.

I was filled with pride, as I scanned our order of battle. Two full

battalions of rockets for shock effect. Quickly followed by two full mechanized

infantry division, three squadrons of fighter planes, two paratrooper

battalions, a special forces company, and an infantry division. The second

attack wave consisted of two special forces companies and another infantry

division. All in all, quite a force.

Enough to handle the forces of East Flatusville, the target city, I

thought. The latest reports had those defenses consisting of ten infantry

divisions with one armored cavalry division as a backbone.

Over two years of effort had gone into this attack. Two years of frantic

industrial effort. Two years of planning and preparation. Two years of debates,

arguments, and even out-in-out fights involved in getting approval for a new

approach to warfare: Combined Arms...

Finally, getting the President to approve of using many diverse units in

conjunction with each other to exploit the weaknesses inherent in the single

unit-type forces.

"General, the attack is now commencing."

Well, it comes down to this, I thought as I strode toward the maptable.

"All rockets fired. Target impact expected in 8 minutes."

I merely nodded my head. The time for talking was over. Now was the time to

listen.

"Observers report two enemy infantry divisions destroyed by rocket fire."

The plotter joyously removed the two red markers from the maptable as he spoke.

"First wave forces are all moving on objectives. Resistance is being

encountered." This plotter was somewhat sober as he realized the objective

couldn't be taken without some casualties.

Now the individual units would be reporting in, and things would happen

very quickly. I wasn't disappointed.

"Sir, observer reports that our forces have the initiative over the enemy."

A slight pause, then: "2nd mechanized reporting on three shot fired at enemy

infantry units. First shot, a miss. Second shot, hit the city. Third shot,

another miss."

"2nd fighters report destroying an infantry division."

"3rd fighters report infantry destroyed also."

"1st mechanized reports taking a hit. Shot fire by enemy cavalry unit. They

are still operational." "1st special forces attacked by enemy cavalry, but

evasion tactics were successful." "2nd fighters reports an ineffectual attack by

cavalry unit." "1st mechanized reports attacking three infantry divisions and

destroying all three." "1st fighters destroyed another infantry unit."

There was apparently a lull in the battle as the reports trickled off. And

now they will counter-attack us, I said to myself.

"2nd mechanized reports two hits taken. Still able to operate." "1st

mechanized just took their second hit. They are still functioning." "1st

fighters reports heavy enemy ground fire, then went silent. They are presumed

shot down." "1st special forces have been destroyed." "1st infantry reports

evading an attack by enemy infantry. Counter-attacking now... Enemy unit

destroyed." "3rd fighters report heavy ground fire, successfully evaded right

into another unit; no survivors..." "1st mechanized evaded enemy infantry

attack." "2nd mechanized caught in the open by enemy infantry. The unit is

destroyed."

I waited, but no more came for an hour, as both side needed the time to

re-group and reload. But wait, where were the paratroopers? For the first time

in the last frantic hour, I spoke.

"Check on the paratrooper battalions, they haven't reported in yet."

"At once, General." The man scurried off.

Quickly I reviewed the situation. Nine infantry divisions destroyed. One

infantry division and one armored cavalry division left. One mechanized

division, two fighter squadrons and one special forces company destroyed. Two

paratrooper battalions missing.

Not very good, but not very bad. Where ARE those paratroopers? They could

carry the day for us!

"Sir, observer reports six, repeat six enemy infantry divisions and one

armored cavalry division remain defending the city."

"SIX INFANTRY?!" I exploded. There should only be ONE. "Confirm that for me

right now, and find me those paratroopers!"

"Sir, both paratrooper battalions were inadvertently dropped into the wrong

zones. Both units were decimated by the time they reached the ground."

"Spotter confirms six infantry and one cavalry unit remaining to the

enemy."

"Order all units to withdraw immediately!" I shouted. Where did he get the

other five infantry divisions from? With the paratroopers, there would have been

a chance. But not now...

"Sir, the second wave launched their attack ten minutes ago. 2nd infantry

and 2nd special forces were trapped and annihilated in the outskirts of the

city. 3rd special forces reached their rendezvous with 1st mechanized, 2nd

fighter, and 1st infantry. Final reports are coming in now."

I closed my eyes, expecting the worst.

"1st mechanized destroyed one infantry, missed another, and also missed the

cavalry unit." "2nd fighters destroyed another infantry unit." "Enemy cavalry

destroys 2nd fighters...and 1st infantry...and 1st mechanized."

"Sir, 3rd special forces have just gone off the air; they were our last

unit..." he added unnecessarily.

Well, I thought as a dead silence enveloped the bunker like a shroud, maybe

someone else will fare better than I... Of course, they wouldn't be using

combined arms.

Then I slowly raised my pistol to my head; and all thought ceased......