Major Popham was curious about the reference and the CO explained.
“The Guards are renowned for their discipline, but politicians have managed to upset us to the point that we have, on a couple of hushed up occasions, said ‘Enough is enough!’ In 1918 we marched on Parliament with bayonets fixed.” The American raised his eyebrows and the CO smiled.
“It got their attention.”
When the Americans were discussing an organisational problem between themselves, the RSM spoke quietly to the new CO.
“We do have one problem sir, its one I personally feel strongly about, by way of an alleged discipline matter.” RSM Stone said.
“RSM, any break down of discipline in time of war is something I am inclined to come down hard on… .… wait, you said alleged, please be specific?”
“When the battalion command post was taken out, 1 and 2 Company’s had not been given the order to withdraw, although CSM Probert… … .you remember Colin Probert sir?” The CO nodded in affirmation.
“Company Sarn’t Major Probert had been given his orders by Major Sinclair to cover the companies as they fell back, only Major Manson refused to accept his word, even when it was obvious the CP was gone.” He outlined how the CSM had bluffed 2 Company’s commander and the new CO was nodding in approval.
“So what is Major Manson’s problem then?”
“Sir, he has since learnt the truth and placed the CSM in close arrest, awaiting charges of cowardice under fire.” The RSM withdrew an audiocassette and a Walkman from a pocket.
“I took the liberty of going over to the brigade signals intelligence detachment, they taped the entire battle of course, our transmissions and theirs. I respectfully suggest you listen to this copy sir, before Major Manson has his say.”
The CO went very still whilst he listened, and then replayed it twice more before muttering.
“That man was an insufferable prig when I last knew him… still thinks he is the lord of the manor, no doubt!" He realised he had spoken aloud and looked sternly at the RSM.
“You did not hear me say that, do you understand, Sarn’t Major?”
“Sir!” was the RSMs only reply.
On arrival at the battalions harbour area, all the commanders of the battalion and attached arms, units and sub units were waiting. Lt Col Reed saw straight away that there was more NCOs present, as acting platoon commanders, than there were junior officers. He had the nominal roll of who was MIA, WIA, KIA and those remaining, but seeing it for himself, with his own eyes, was rather different.
The new CO explained that the battalion was going into action at dawn tomorrow, as four under-strength rifle companies and a large mortar platoon, along with the remainder of 3(UK) Mechanised Brigade. 2(UK) Mechanised Brigade had been forming up over the last five days to the west, and was now enroute to join them. 1(UK) Armoured Brigade would be entering Germany in four days, by which time they had to have cleared out the Russian airborne division from Leipzig. He was aware of the LSWs shortcomings, as were all infantrymen, so he had brought out from the UK thirty-two gimpys. The SA-80 was in short supply as reserve stocks ran out so reserve war stocks were being dug into and he had two hundred SLRs, ammunition, bayonets and magazines, rescued from museums and the like. The older Guardsmen’s faces lit up like it was Christmas.
Lt Col Reed then dismissed all but the 2 Company commander, telling all the remaining company commanders, Hussars squadron commander, forward air, artillery and mortar platoon commanders to return in 30 minutes for an O Group. The US airborne troops went to stow their equipment on their new modes of transport, the British Warrior AFVs, and familiarise themselves with them and get to know their drivers, who were all Coldstream Guardsmen.
Once the others had departed, Major Manson approached the CO, all smiles and hand held outstretched.
“Patrick, so good to see you again… I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear you were taking over!” Which was hardly the truth, as Major Manson had cherished the hope that as the senior surviving officer he would be promoted to carry on as CO of the battalion. He paused when the proffered hand was not taken, and after a moment withdrew it.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened during the withdrawal, Major?”
Manson had rehearsed his version many times, since learning of the death of Major Sinclair before the withdrawal order had reached him.
“I take it that the RSM has already spoken to you, understandable I suppose as it is a serious discipline matter.” The CO did not make any remark; he remained standing, awaiting the Majors explanation.
“We were holding the enemy below the crest of the hill, when Probert came on the air, in a dead funk… obviously panicking and ranting that we had to get out before it was too late. Apparently the battalion CP had just been hit and it had rattled the man completely… shame really, I thought he was made of sterner stuff, obviously just a front.” He paused to take in the CO, the man’s face was impassive, giving nothing away.
“Well I realised that as senior officer it was all up to me to get the battalion out, discipline was going to pot but I managed, somehow… lord knows how I managed it, to settle everyone down… after which I gave a set of quick orders for the withdrawal… Otherwise we really would have been overrun. I kept the battalion together whilst we made a fighting withdrawal.”
“It sounds like a fine job of leadership on your part Major.”
Major Manson shrugged depreciatively.
“It’s what they pay me for Patrick.”
“It also sounds like total and utter… bollocks!”
“I say… steady on old man!”
“Shut up… and stand to attention when you are in my presence, you despicable reptile!” Colonel Reed was leaning forwards and his jaw set with anger. He withdrew the Walkman from his pocket and held it in plain view of the officer before him.
“When I first heard this radio intercept, I assumed that you had the CSM arrested in a fit of annoyance, that a mere ranker… had told you how to do your job. But I now see you tried to make personal capital out of a situation where many better men than you died. You saw it as a career opportunity … and… attempted to ruin a man’s reputation and career in so doing.” Reed was furious, he had envisioned admonishing the major for not being man enough to admit his own faults, but he had uncovered a vindictive and dishonest officer, clearly unfit to lead troops.
“Colonel, sir… I related to you the events as I recalled them… in the heat of battle, things get confusing… ”
“Shut your mouth… I won’t have you in my battalion… I won’t have you in my fucking regiment a second longer than I can manage!” He brushed past the major, calling for the RSM, who appeared from behind a nearby tree, the picture of innocence.
“RSM, who is the senior Captain?”
“That would be Captain Llewellyn sir, Mortar Platoon.”
“My compliments to Captain Llewellyn, and he is now OC number 2 Company… once you have done that have someone collect this officers weapon, ammunition and any battalion equipment he has on signature and that includes rations. He is reporting to brigade for reassignment and will make his own way there.” The RSMs broad grin did not appear until he was out of sight of the CO.
Major Manson was ashen faced.