The distinctive crack-boom of Israel 105-millimeter tank-mounted guns echoed as the hills on the western side of thevalley flickered with muzzle flashes. Farther north, two Israeli F-4s were working over still more tanks and BMPs at that end of the valley. Shoshana gasped, at last able to see the size of the attack. The valley was filled with tanks and BMPs, all moving southward, taking their losses, pressing forward. More artillery rounds pounded at the tanks and they could hear Iraqi counterbattery fire reaching over them, ranging for the Israeli gun emplacements.
“We’re going to have to run …” Shoshana’s shout was cut off by a loud explosion — a near miss from an Iraqi 122-millimeter howitzer. TWo more rounds impacted, but were walking away from their position.
“What’s happening!” Hanni screamed, mind-paralyzing terror capturing her again. Shoshana wouldn’t tell her that it was a major attack that Levy’s small battalion could not possibly stop. Again she swept the area around her through the periscope, trying to find the best direction to run. Now movement on the western side of the valley caught her attention as Iraqi tanks swung away from the main line of advance and turned toward the Israeli defenders on their right flank. The APCs radio now came alive as Levy ordered his tanks to sortie forward.
Shoshana counted three Merkava tanks that burst over the western ridge and charged down the slope toward the advancing Iraqi tanks. Two APCs were in the protective shadow of the V, moving with the tanks. An Iraqi tank burst into flames, felling victim to the first shot from the lead Merkava. Then more tanks broke from their hides, revealing a flank attack in force. Shoshana knew that every tank Levy Force had was engaged. Then it came to her why no one had answered her radio call — Levy was maintaining radio silence as he repositioned the battalion under the cover of darkness and before the attack started.
Two M60 tanks supported by a Hummer mounting a TOW and an APC broke over the ridgeline and headed for them. The Israeli tanks cut across the advancing Iraqis at an angle, their main guns firing with deadly accuracy. The APC took a hit and skidded to a halt. The second tank spun on its tracks and went back to help. Shoshana watched in horror as a T-72 seemed to fire almost point-blank into the lead M60 at less than five hundred meters. The side of the M60 spewed fire and sparks, but the tank didn’t stop. The Israeli “Blazer”reactive armor had blunted the Iraqi’s round. The M60 turret traversed and fired a round. The Iraqi tank took a direct hit and slued to a halt. The T-72's commander’s hatch flopped open and a figure bailed out. A burst of machine-gun fire from the M60 dropped the man.
The lead tank and the Hummer kept coming. The Hummer disappeared into a depression and stopped. Only its TOW missile was showing. Now the tank was almost to them. Hanni and Shoshana were out of the APC and running for it. The tank slowed but did not stop as its main gun fired again. Shoshana leaped on the front of the oncoming tank, her left hand grabbing the protective bracket that framed the right headlight and her feet scrambling against the front plate. Her left foot caught on a tow ring and she reached back with her right hand and grabbed Hanni to pull the much smaller woman aboard. The tank rocked with a recoil as the main gun fired again.
Hanni slipped and fell down in front of the still-moving tank. Shoshana tried to hold on but felt the woman slip from her grasp.
The tank jerked to the left and accelerated straight ahead, almost throwing Shoshana off, running over Hanni. Shoshana held on to the headlight bracket with both hands as her foot slipped off the tow ring. Her feet were dragging on the ground as the tank slued around to the right, both its main gun and machine gun firing. Shoshana saw an Iraqi tank flare. It was less than three hundred meters away. The M60 kept turning and now she would see Hanni lying on the ground. Shoshana’s spirits soared when Hanni leaped up and ran for the tank. The driver had seen Hanni fall and centered up, driving the tank right over the woman. Now he was coming back for a pickup.
A burst of machine-gun fire from a BMP raked across Hanni as the M60's main gun fired, killing the BMP. Hanni was down again, this time not moving. The tank stopped momentarily and Shoshana leaped off, running for her. The tank was circling them, firing round after round.
Hanni was dead. Two rounds from the machine gun had struck her in the chest, ripping her apart. A third had glanced off the left side of her helmet, shattering the earpiece. Shoshana didn’t want to believe she had lost her friend, the gentle woman who meant so much to her. Tenderly, she pulled herhelmet off and held Hanni to her. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She was vaguely aware that the tank had stopped. Its gun fired and the hatch on top of the cupola popped open. A man stuck his head out. “Come,” was all he said, not loud, but commanding and urgent. It was Levy. In a daze, Shoshana gently laid Hanni down, and stumbled to the tank, not even aware she was still clutching her friend’s helmet. “Hurry,” Levy said. She moved faster and climbed up the side of the tank, over the tracks. The tank was moving as Levy dropped back into the turret. Shoshana followed him down the loader’s hatch.
The colonel sat behind Mana’s desk, enjoying the power and privileges that went with it. He hoped that his sudden elevation to command of the base at Mosul was not temporary. He picked up the ornate letter opener and fingered it, admiring the gold filigree on the handle. He stared at the two pilots standing in front of him. “Why should I countermand one of General Mana’s last orders?” he asked. “He placed you on standby alert for good reasons. I only have five Cobras left and now you are asking for me to trust you.” He jabbed the tip of the letter opener into the desk. “I’m not a fool!”
“Sir!” Johar barked. “Permission to speak.” The colonel nodded. “Please remember that we were the two pilots fortunate enough to have downed the Israeli F-Sixteens.” The colonel glared at them. He didn’t want to deal with the truth of that matter. “As you know,” Johar plunged on, “that was due to General Mana’s superb leadership and airmanship. It was entirely proper that he received credit for the kills and it was Allah’s will that Samir and I were the instruments of his wrath. Perhaps, with your leadership, Allah would so bless us again.” Johar fell silent, waiting for the colonel’s reaction.
The colonel considered what the lieutenant was offering. If he would allow them to fly, he would get the credit for any kills. And that might earn him permanent command of the base. But why were the two lieutenants so anxious to fly? The Americans had proven themselves to be most dangerous and he personally did not want to have to engage an F-15. What was in it for the lieutenants? After all, they were nobodies.
“Why are you so anxious to fly?” the colonel asked.
“Revenge,” Johar said. The cold look on his face made the colonel believe him.
The phone rang and the colonel picked it up. He listened to the short message and slammed it down. “The Americans are reported taking off again. They are loaded with bombs.” He stared at Johar and Samir, coming to a decision. “You will fly as number four and five.”
The two lieutenants gave the colonel the bow normally reserved for generals and followed him out of the office.