Friday 27 May 2016

Tank Aces Rolls Out


 Saturday, 28th May, 2016 at Glasgow Games Group


The Soviets await


  The early morning dew was glistening on the grass in the Belorussian field which harboured a small troop of Soviet T-34 tanks. Sitting atop of one them was Kommissar Boris Prokofiev, his boots hanging over the motto white-washed onto the side; "к победе" He accepts an offered hip flask of throat-numbingly strong vodka from his gunner, Gregor.

 "Thanks, Gregor... Bah, it'll rot my gut before it begins to taste good."

 He complains, but drinks it down regardless. A young corporal approaches, the radio operator of tank 2306. He snaps off a quick salute to the unimpressed political officer.

 "Comrade Kommissar, I was told all Kommissars were recalled by Stavka..."

He blusters out, uncertainly. The man atop the tank chuckles and removes his hat, wiping the red star with his sleeve before returning it to his head.

"Ah, but you see lad, I've got a letter from mummy, so it's okay, right lads?"

He assures the young man, whose face glows bright red from embarrassment as the men around him laugh heartily at the joke. Their laughter is cut off by the return of one of their scouts, out of breath and covered in mud.

"Comrade Kommissar, enemy tanks have been spotted approaching Salihorsk! Command says you're to meet them head on."

He manages to pant out as he takes a swig from an offered canteen.

"Hear that, lads? Uncle Iosef wants us to give those fascist bullies a bloody nose! And I'm going to be the first to do it. Who wants to beat me?"

The Kommissar shouts out to the small cheering men as they clamber into tanks and engines roar into life.

"Za Stalina! Za Rodinu! Urah! Urah!"

Echoes across the clearing as the Tankovy move out to engage the encroaching Germans.

Kommissar Prokofiev in "к победе"

No comments:

Post a Comment