Operation Storm Forge: The Showdown

The next day, Katsaros and his team were moving again. They had spent the night in the farmhouse, but that was only a temporary hiding place. They couldn’t stay in one place too long. The Germans were relentless, and if they didn’t keep moving, they would be caught.

“We have to find another place to strike,” Katsaros said, his voice full of determination. “The Germans are closing in, but if we hit them hard again, it might give us a chance to escape.” “We can’t keep running forever,” Pavlos said, his tone serious. “We need to end this once and for all.”

Katsaros nodded. He knew Pavlos was right. It was time to make a final stand. They needed to make the Germans pay for what they had done, and they needed to do it now.

They started their journey toward the mountain pass where the Germans were transporting reinforcements. Katsaros knew this would be their last chance to strike before they ran out of options.

The forest was tight, the leaves closing in from all sides because they were in enemy territory, moving further within. The air tension was palpable as they inched towards the pass, all steps noiseless, but at the same time, every living nerve of every body on its alert for possible danger.

Sounds of engines growling suddenly from their backside-a convoy of armed German trucks speeding heavily towards them.

Katsaros signaled that the team scatter. They slipped behind a fat clump of trees, sinking low to their haunches. The column passed by unawares – the soldiers staring straight ahead not even close-by. Katsaros knew his pulse started racing. He had the better of them in this place at this time, and now or never.

The convoy was heading directly towards a small, narrow bridge crossing a very deep ravine. If they could destroy that bridge, then it would make the Germans pass that point while still giving the group enough time to escape.

With quick gestures, the group put up the explosives. The charges were carefully planted in places that would assure a hit for any angle across the bridge. The hearts thumping in the chests, they waited as the convoy continued in their approach.

Katsaros knew that this was the only time. One error and the entire scheme would go to the drain.

Just as the trucks approached the bridge, Katsaros gave the signal. The explosion was deafening. The bridge crumbled and sent the convoy into a tailspin. Trucks went rolling into the ravine, and soldiers scurried for cover.

But amidst the explosion, the Germans responded. Gunfire burst from the trees around them, and the team was heavily fired upon.

“We need to fall back!” Katsaros yelled.

The team ran their way through the forest, bullets flying overhead while they moved as fast as possible. It was a desperate run, but they didn’t look back. They knew if they didn’t make it to safety soon, they wouldn’t survive.

With a final, hard push, they made it to the edge of the forest. The Germans were closing in, but Katsaros knew they had dealt a heavy blow. The convoy was destroyed, and the bridge was no longer usable.

The team disappeared into the hills, their hearts pounding with the knowledge that the war was far from over, but they had won this battle.