Night of the Nazi Zombies Read Online Free PDF Page B

halt in the tree line.    
    The final impact folded the glider around the trees, crushing the nose, instantly killing the pilots and the sappers that were positioned close to the front of the aircraft.   The remainder were thrown about inside as the middle section came apart disgorging seating and equipment out onto the ground.   Without pausing from the crash, Smith unclipped himself, glanced around the glider and shouted his orders, “Out!”
    Smith could see that the front of the glider was smashed beyond repair and there was no movement in the front third of the aircraft.   It wasn’t a good start but at least they were on the ground and below the elevation of the heavy anti-aircraft guns.   Small arms fire was one thing, but those heavy guns could cut down the rest of his unit in seconds if they could get the weapons lowered in some way.   Getting out of the glider was their best chance of survival.
    The clicking of harnesses echoed through the groaning remains of the glider as the first dozen men clambered out of the side door and into the darkness.   Smith was first; brandishing is Sten MkV submachine gun in his right hand whilst hurrying the men from the door and the shredded section where the nose and centre used to be joined.   If nothing else the crash had given them additional ways to exit the glider!   Smith counted them out.   Each man took up positions a short distance form the glider, watching carefully for the enemy whilst also keeping their heads down and in cover.   Lieutenant Harvey stepped out, putting his hand on Smith’s shoulder.   Smith responded.
    “We’ve lost eight.   Two shot on the way down, plus the pilots and the sappers bought it in the landing, Sir.”
    “Spread out and secure the landing zone, Sergeant.”
    Smith nodded in acknowledgement, as he turned he remembered one last thing, “Oh, and Johnson has got framing stuck in his shoulder, he’s pinned inside but stable.”
    As he moved off with the men he called back, “See what you can do about Johnson...and keep your head down, Sir!”
    Lieutenant Harvey climbed back inside the glider whilst Smith moved out to the rest of the men who were fanned out, forming a thin perimeter around the glider.   Crouching next to Mathews, the sergeant checked his map.   Corporal Mathews moved over to check on the plan.
    “How bad does it look?”
    “Pretty bad, we’re a good way off track, looks like we’re at the wrong river.   Some arsehole dumped us early.”
    “Bugger.   Dumped is probably the right word then,” replied Mathews with a sarcastic smirk.
    “We need to get to the bridge, and fast, or we’re going to be a plane short for the attack.   Are they ready?”
    Mathews nodded.
    “Good.   Get everything you can out of the glider and see if Harvey needs any help with Johnson.   We need him on a stretcher and ready to move right away.”
    Smith squinted, looking off to a distant building.   He was certain he could see something up ahead.   Was it a vehicle or an animal of some kind?   There was a flicker of light.
    “What’s that?”
    Mathews turned only to be spun around from a series of bullet impacts.   The line of rounds cut from his waist right up to his throat.   The exit wounds sprayed blood, some of it hitting Smith.   Without hesitation he dropped immediately to the ground as more rounds hit around the glider.  
    “Incoming, get down!” shouted Smith.
    The horizon lit up with a multitude of flashes from rifles and machineguns.   The movement Smith had spotted was obviously a military unit and the position that the British troops found themselves in was not a good one.   With the crashed glider to their backs the soldiers were left exposed in the open field with only light scrub and thick grass around them.   The only saving grace was that the field hadn’t been farmed recently so they wouldn’t have to slog through mud.   Behind the glider, the cover was better but would leave the Germans