Operation Reset - Part 3

5 miles south of Sieradz July 18th 2000

Plunged into darkness, the lead driver of the convoy spots what could be lights behind them and pulls the convoy off the road into the cover of nearby woods. Strike Zulu sets camp and secures a perimeter, the night vision goggles are jury rigged to run from the batteries of the SAS teams Saxon APC. Watches are set and they get some rest while they can.

During the night the camp is attacked by a large bear which is quickly taken down with the combined firepower of 2 machine guns.  As the teams prepare to leave evidence is found of another intruder, who came and went during the night without being seen.

Continuing along the back roads and less well known routes, the convoy continues south. Around noon they spot the taller buildings of Wielun through the trees. Scouts continue on foot through the woodland with snipers for support. As they pass through the woods they find evidence that a large number of refugees camped there not so long ago. When they reach the outskirts of the town they find a mass grave, apparently full of Polish and Soviet troops.

Sneaking into town the scouts find it to be heavily occupied by soviet forces. Some engineering work appears to be underway to the east, and there are signs of small manufacturing industries working. The scouts pull back to the convoy. 

After some consideration Strike Zulu decide to skirt Wielun through its suburbs. They quickly disguise themselves with captured enemy uniforms and weapons and head out. They make good time and cut through the suburbs until they reach the main Wielun-Kepno road. In their way stands a road block of a half a dozen men and a russian BMP APC.

A Russian officer aproaches the convoy and, satisfied after questioning the lead vehicle about who they are and where they are going continues to inspect the column. The SEAL team in the second vehicle, speaking no Russian, engage the enemy. As the convoy sets off towards the road block members of the SAS team exit their vehicle and lay down surpressive fire with machinegun and RPG fire. The BMP seams impervious to their efforts, and after a well placed smoke round from the Ranger teams mortar blinds its gunner, the BMP is disabled with a thermite charge.

The convoy continues around the suburbs of Wielun, pulling of the main road and fleeing south before encountering another road block. Trying to make up for lost time they pick up speed and attempt to avoid any other towns.

By late afternoon Strike Zulu, making good time, is 10 miles north of Krakow. Perhaps because of their speed they fail to spot an ambush at the sides of the road, and drive straight into it. Coming under fire from sustained heavy machinegun fire from both sides of the road. Only the SAS team in the rear vehicle have time to react, and having Dr Czerwinski and the MCCS device, they decide to leave the convoy to its fate and take an alternative route.

After taking a longer route to avoid the ambushers, the SAS team arrives at the outskirts of Krakow. Leaving their vehicle behind they continue on foot with the professor, his device, and his research....

to be continued...