Princess Violet on a diplomatic trip to England (can't think of enough pony puns for countries, I'll just use their actual names) was assassinated by German conspirators. In response, England has invaded Germany. ((England's first battle for this RP will be a fictional battle entitled "The Battle of Die Landschaft" (Die Landschaft is "The Countryside" in German.)) The first troops to arrive in Germany are that of the British Army. Meanwhile in US, after many foiled terror plots planned by the highest levels of German government, an American passenger vessel carrying cargo was sunk by what most believe to be a German torpedo. This is the last straw, and the United States has waged war on Germany, the first troops to land are the Marines. ((This battle will be another fictional account entitled, "The battle of the border" as it is being fought on the France/Germany border.)) Fun fact: On this day in 1944, Operation D-Day took place, I'm pretty sure you all what what that was.
(Couple Fun facts on D-Day: #1: One squad of soldiers advanced so far inland that a German soldier saluted them, thinking they were German as the battle was too far away. #2: A 14 year old boy was in one of the first waves to attack the deadliest D-Day beach, Omaha, and survived.)
I've been down here for a week now. We're out of straps that hold our guns to our hooves. Looks like we're gonna have to put our guns in our mouth and use our bayonets. I can't stand hand to hand. Let's hope we get some new straps.
((rada what rank is your oc as mines captain)) "move back, move back." captain blackadder was shouting orders to his troups the got pushed so far back by the Germans they ended up in Ypres, Belgium. "that's it we shall not be pushed back any further. We shall dig in" it seemed that the Germans had the same idea both sides dug trenches and dug outs. Blackadder thought to himself "I wander how the rest of the army is getting on in Germany"
Rashall looked around his squad, it was rare that they could all be found in one place together but now seemed an appropriate time. Those under his care looked up to him, heck it was said that he had the most loyal ponies of the entire war. Rashall knew that his men trusted him and his decisions so he did everything in his power as a sergeant to keep them alive, even if it meant going against orders. His squad consisted of four other ponies, one unicorn who was the medic of the group, two earth ponies that carried a bulk of the supplies though bulk was probably the wrong term, and another pegasus other than Rashall himself. Rashall and his squad were a force recon element of the 1st US Marine Division. Other recon squads opterated in groups of ten or seven Rashall's was the only one to operate with only five ponies himself included. Truth be told he wised to return aboard the USS Texas. (I know I'm off on the timing of the 1st Marine division and that I'm using an actual battleship but I couldn't think of anything else, not to mention I think this will become commonplace. Also since I seem to be the only one in the USMC for this RP I was going to take control of my squad their names will come later on if that's ok Rada. And wow that's one heck of a wall of text).
(rash rada made me second in command while he's offline so taking control of the squad seems ok to me but remember to stick with the battle of the border)
Blackadder now stuck deep in the trenches in Belgium "how the he'll did we get stuck here in the first place, oh yes now I remember the jerry's over powered us with their artillery and pushed us back here". Started to relax when lieutenant George and private baldrick started talking to him. Private Baldrick: No, the thing is: The way I see it, these days there's a war on, right? and, ages ago, there wasn't a war on, right? So, there must have been a moment when there not being a war on went away, right? and there being a war on came along. So, what I want to know is: How did we get from the one case of affairs to the other case of affairs? Captain Blackadder: Do you mean "How did the war start?" Private Baldrick: yeah Lieutenant George: The war started because of the vile Hun and his villainous empire- building. Captain Blackadder: (blackadder interupts) George, the British Empire at present covers a quarter of the globe, while the German Empire consists of a small sausage factory in Tanganiki. I hardly think that we can be entirely absolved of blame on the imperialistic front. Lieutenant George: Oh, no, sir, absolutely not. [aside, to Baldrick] Lieutenant George: Mad as a bicycle! Private Baldrick: I heard that it started when a bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich 'cause he was hungry. Captain Blackadder: I think you mean it started when the Archduke of Austro-Hungary got shot. Private Baldrick: Nah, there was definitely an ostrich involved, sir. Captain Blackadder: Well, possibly. But the real reason for the whole thing was that it was too much effort not to have a war. Lieutenant George: By Gum, this is interesting. I always loved history. The Battle of Hastings, Henry VIII and his six knives, all that. Captain Blackadder: You see, Baldrick, in order to prevent war in Europe, two superblocs developed: us, the French and the Russians on one side, and the Germans and Austro-Hungary on the other. The idea was to have two vast opposing armies, each acting as the other's deterrent. That way there could never be a war. Private Baldrick: But, this is a sort of a war, isn't it, sir? Captain Blackadder: Yes, that's right. You see, there was a tiny flaw in the plan. Private Baldrick: What was that, sir? Captain Blackadder: It was bollocks. Private Baldrick: So the poor old ostrich died for nothing then.
"So we happen to be ahead of the main advance, though they're in the trenches so I doubt they'll be advancing any time soon, near the Germans front lines oh and completely cut off least I forget," says North Star the pegasus was voicing what they all had in mind no doubt, but he was also a new addition to the team the other three were seasoned veterans. Icecaller, the medic of the group, simply grunted as did one of the earth ponies his name was Rock Slide. "Oh don't look so glum North, the sergeant has never lead us astray not once. Why he used to do this on his own until he found the rest of us, let me tell you this right now you are in very caring hooves," says Hearth the others simply smile, leave it to one of the oldest and most battled hardened in the group to cheer them up. "I got movement, yeah there it is jerry officer 95 yards and holding looks like he is reviewing the troops," says Rock Slide he was easily their best spotter besides Rashall who was in the tree above with his rifle no doubt already taking in the target. "We hold until the artery commences," says Rashall he was talking about the artillery behind the Germans here. In fact that had been their orders seek out any artillery that could harass an assault by the main American force to their rear. As if on que the guns started to lob shells towards the distant horizon, the shells passing overhead sounded like freight trains passing a little too close for comfort. "The officer is on the western side quarter of the way down 99 yards out winds out of the northeast at 10 knots. Well look at that the poor bugger is all alone, your call Rash," says Rock Slide. As the second salvo goes off so too does Rashall's rifle hitting the officer right between the eyes. That's when the rain started the body slid down the slope into a nearby ditch, perfect hiding spot. "Alright squad lets move to secondary," says Rashall with that they move out towards their second and originally posted observation post about seven miles back.
"it seems that our guns have stopped I wonder why" Blackadder emerged from the trenches to see the Canadians and scots lining up. He approched one of the officers ordering the soldiers. "what the hells going on" Blackadder Asked "general malchett has ordered for the Canadians and scots to be the first to go over the top and charge the enemy" the officer replied back in a thick Glaswegian accent "Is malchett dumb or something thats suicide there's no way they can survive the artillery bombardment and german machine guns" "orders are orders"
(Are you doing the 'Lost Battleion thing? Because that was the battle that won the marine corp their popularity and renown.)
(No that was the battle of Belleau Woods that gave them their renowned and that was what I was aiming for)
(That's the Lost Battleion. The Lost Battleion was the marines inside the forest because they were cut off from the Allies by the Germans.)
(Actually they charged the German positions through hails of gunfire and mustard gas, but never turned back.)
(Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong battle, oh, here it is, I'm thinking of the battle of Argonne Forest, when 554 men were trapped behind enemy lines by a failed offensive and held out for... six days.)
Rashall and his squad finally, after a few hours, arrive at their actual OP no officers are there to reprimand them for their little "expedition." Which had been very productive, one officer yes but an officer none the less. "Well then looks like nothing has changed here," says Rashall the others just nod and sigh in agreement, "I'll take first watch you lot get some sleep," none of them argued and soon fell asleep in the semi-large foxhole that they called home.
((I'm Corporal Cobra)) Sergeant: ALRIGHT MEN! IT IS HERE THAT COME OUT OF OUR TRENCHES AND CHARGE!!! IF YOU SEE ANYONE COMING YOUR WAY, SHOOT THEM DEAD! ON MY COUNT, CHARGE! 1, 2, 3!! *sounds of men yelling* I found my way to abandoned farmhouse, and tried to pick off some scragglers. I ended up wasting a clip. I ran from the house, ducking trying to make sure I wouldn't get hit. I heard the German had those newfangled Gappling guns, we nicknamed them "Galloping guns" because they fired so damn fast. I stepped on a sharp rock, I split my hoof bad, it was bleeding mighty hard. I see a small squad of soldiers, but they don't see me, I could throw a grenade, but that would be to bland. I decide to take one of my magazine clips, run a string across it, light throw it, and watch the sparks fly. I do it, and in a moment, I hear screams. My Celestia that was entertaining. Welp, I guess I should continue on before one of their comrades finds out what happened.
"Alright men, we may be a week or two from the front lines, but I want to make a few things clear." Colonel Julion said sternly to the large group of soldiers assembled below him. "Alright, I have looked at the situation, and no matter what anypony tells you, this war will NOT be over by Christmas." He said, pacing in front of the troops on his raised platform so they could all see him. "Number 2: This will not be pretty, look around you, I bet that by war's end, less then half of you won't be on the casualty list. That being said, I still expect you to fight with all the same conviction that you can, for battles are not won by half way trying. 3: If you see a hun, unless their hands are in the air in surrender or their heads are under a white flag, you expected to shoot to kill, not wound or anything. And one more thing, if you are caught trying to desert, or purposely trying to get wounded or doing any other act to get out of the war on purpose, I will have you charge alone at the enemy lines. I will not tolerate disobedience, if you are wavering, look to the stallion next to you, and if he's wavering, keep looking until you find that bravery that should be in every soldier's heart and rally and fight around it! And to let you know, I am not some namby pampy officer who will rather sit in a nice clean room, watching the battle from miles away, throwing my men's lives away for no gain, no! I will be there with you, right by your side! Me and every other dog gone officer in this troop!" the room was silent, the men torn between cheering and fright. Julion left the platform after dismissing the troops for mess.
"North I thought I told you to get some sleep," says Rashall standing above the private. "Sorry sir, just couldn't sleep too much thinking and all," says North Star in return, truth was he was having nightmares again. "What did I tell you about calling me sir? You know I don't like it and you also know that I don't like when ponies lie to me, it's been those nightmares again hasn't it?" Asks Rashall, that was the one thing North liked about him you didn't have to call him sarge or sir, just Rash. Rashall also knew when those under his command where lying and when they weren't. North Star started when he noticed that Rashall was still waiting for an answer, to whcih he just nodded affirmatively. "Well don't let it bug you too much, I need all of you at your best and sharpest now then get some sleep," says Rashall with a slight smile and with that North Star drifted off to sleep uneasily.
"Get into the transports already! These things ain't cheap and I not planning on letting them go unused!" Julion yelled, motioning the troops to get into the trucks that had just arrived, "Come on! This war ain't going to end any quicker by your lounging about! The sooner we get to the front lines the better! Come on, we need to reinforce the lines! Move!" he continued to yell. If these things can move us as fast as they say, we'll be on the line by tomorrow! I don't care what any other pony says, these machines are going to be the way of the future! Julion thought. Soon all the troops had been loaded up and the convoy began moving down the road. As Julion looked back from the front of the column, where he often could be found unlike most of his rank, and thanked that the front lines were a good 80 miles away, though that still meant some artillery could reach them, bu that was unlikely that they would be targeted.
Firebreeze sat in a truck headed to the frontlines. He looked at the other soldiers in the truck. Some had no emotions, other looked nervious and scared.
