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It was the D-day, a day to kill and a day to die. Our mission was bound to start 22:00hrs and if things goes well as planed, calvary and exfill should be by 23:00hrs. Anyway, by 1:00hrs all team stacked out to take position and report in there individual formation. Also, the delta team (myself and my men) navigated our route to our to our position and took formation where we were to encroach immediately after the first audible Air strike.
We took position and waited for what seem like forever to take charge and see some blood flow. Absolutely, blood makes the grass grow. We covered ourselves with grass and were no different from the jungle grass itself in our static position.
Anyway, things went on and in a twinkle of an eye, it was just 30mins to infiltration.
30mins to the slaughter, we had some rumble in the bush opposite to us, alas the insurgents too were on patrol. Seeing this, I signalled to my men toremain in their static position and not to compromise there formation since we had a plan and I was restricted by order to act only according to the plan. Alas, it was too late to give the warning signal, the sassy Larry was sure of a clean shot and I guess in revenge for our fallen brothers, his emotion took the very best part of him and he opened fire on the insurgents aiming for the head.

Our position was already compromised and the sound of the live rounds brought the attention of the other insurgents to our position and before we could say jack, what I call legion of insurgents were already in position firing all kind of weapons at us. It was hell, we had to compromise our position and engage the insurgents in a repel attack. It was a great slaughter on advantage to the insurgents.
Heros were going down, we knew we might all die but going down without a fight his something we would not do.

Since we were the leading team, any slack from us will definitely lead to the abortion of the mission in general. In a jiffy, other men in brother teams joined us to repel the attack. But the enemies were more in mass than us. All we could see was blood, our own blood.
The slaughter continued, Exfill was no where in sight and all we had was our gun and the man next to us. We had just 2 choices Kill and survive or die. Death was no option for us because we made a vow that although we are under devastating fire still, we shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round of ammunition.
We shot the best we could and in no time, enemies were already into us. They hv encroached so forward. We repelled more as much as we could, but our number was getting fewer every passing second. Although my mission was blur, but I could still see George alive fighting and shooting just to save his dear live. My spirit was a little more lifted and i engaged more with rage and fury.
Anyway, the insurgent were about killing the last of us present on the field when we heard the whirling of helicopter alas HERE COMES CALVaRY (air strike) I tell you seeing calvary, that feeling was heavenly, its something I can't describe and the sweetest and most romantic part of it was. Seeing rounds and rounds of ammunition pierce and penetrate the insurgent and seeing their camp go down in flames was another romantic sight better than a ladies underwear. Our hope was restored, our morale was high, we encroached more forward and had the greatest feast of our part of the slaughter in disadvantage to the enemies dz time. We shot at the already wounded ones and chased after the fleeing ones. Beleieve me that moment was more than heaven to us.


Anyway, things went on and we conqured by killing as much as we can although some escaped due to the influence of their long and fast legs.
We got to our camp after the most seraphim feeling and I was invited by the commanding officer to come answer why I never followed z orders thereby compromising my position. He was of the opinion that the lapse on my part as the team leader led to the slaughter of more than 60 percent of our men. I was the team leader, I was answerable and I was held responsible.

Anyway, I had nothing tangible to say coz I was confuse what to say not to put larrys carrer in jeopardy.
My commanding officer on the other hand never took my silence with levity. He concluded from z perspective what I decided and singlehandedly asked my men not to take His orders and follow mine.
We thought it was a joke until I was charged with Mutiny.
Not less than a week after the charge I was arrested by the military police and taken to the HQ to get court martialed. I thought it was a dream, possibly a nightmare because the punishment for mutiny is death by firing squad

kikayboss:
nice one....plz don't let George die oooo....

greatbrian been tryna connect with u even dropped ma nomba....anyways

did you meet any olaseni ayobanji (olas) in the academy ( midshipman presently)

Sorry sir I might not be able to answer ur question here online and by the way sir are u the bearer of the above name?

Another soldier caught my attention WO Sali. WO Sali was a very elderly SNCO who has very few more years to his retirement. Sali was like a father to all, he was example to to other soldiers for z attitude towards officer. Although, WO sali z a proud father of 3 officers all in the 3 diff wings of services (Army, Naval and Airforce), still oga Sali was so humble among z fellow soldiers.
The last character I got interested in was Private larry. Larry z a 20 years old private who z so sassy towards z friends, he happens to be an EX BOY of Coy company so that added more chip to z attitude. The best conversation larry likes to make z about cars, women and drinks but its a pity larry is just a man of more words and little action, it goes by me saying larry never enjoyed any 3 of it.
Larry been around z colleague can be seen as a clown atimes and many a time larry buys job for dz attitude of his. Larry z a good guy deep down inside this I can vouch for, he has what I refer to as the heart of jesus although its hard to believe judging by z action. Enough about them



Deep inside me, I knew I won't come home with all the men am going with with if at all I will come home atall. Barely 2 weeks to the D-day, the everly sassy larry had a little change of attitude, he assumed the heart of jesus. My human feeling took the most of me and I was curious to know what xup with him because a little distarction to one of my men will definitely lead to the slaughter of almost all of us. I pacified Larry and he confided to me that his Gf sent a letter telling him she's pregnant and he on the other side z having the feeling she's about to deliver at that very moment. I pat him at the back gave him a little soothing word and asked if he believed in prayer to which he answered yes. anyway, we both spoke to God and we believed he understands us more than we could even say.


It was a week to the D-day when two Airforce officers were brought to our detachment and we were briefed they will handle the air strike and still come back as calvary after infiltration. We were good to go, our morale was high, we couldn't not wait for the D-day. We've fulfilled all righteousness, we've trained hard and all we wanted to do now is to just kill, take names for ourselves and end this shit the day before yesterday.

Things went a little more smooth and it was a day to the D-day also tagged NEMESIS OF INSURGENTS. We had a last meeting involving all officers and some SNCOs where we were all briefed more baout the mission and our individual parts. As a full lieutinant I was to command the Delta team comprising of 30 men. We were to infiltrate immediately after the air strike and we had just 10mins to clear the area where Charlie team will come in and handle the other part. I was to be assisted by 2ndlt Shakur.
I knew any slack on my part as the team leader will definitely lead to the death of my men so I furthered plan and prayed hard to make it worthwhile (God knows why I was choosed to start a suicide mission).
Anyway whatever the reason is, its my job, am paid for it and I signed for it I have to carry out the job in the best way I can. I met my men immeduately and I found out George was among. I called them together and briefed them on our part of the mission. I gave them a little word to boost their morale and I found out they are already good to go and can't wait to shoot some bastards whatever comes may.

Things went on like that and I had another meeting with the team leaders alone where we discussed and learn more ways to get the job done mostly on my team as the success of the mission depends solely on the delta team. The day was a vvery busy day for me after the meeting, I had an hour meeting with my men again where we made more plans and before we knew it it was 21:00hrs. We gathered for formation and did some putty after which I informed my commanding officer and took permission form him to take my men on a special putty. On his orders, I gathered my men (delta team) and headed for the jungle in a very ungodly hour when the normal human should be sleeping. It was a very dangerous putty, but I intentionally made it that way so as to prepare my men for whatever comes may in few hours time.

Am so sorry to all the readers reading dz article, both ghost readers and the little one commenting. I won't be able to write anything tonight u won't understand even if I tell u why. Buh tomorrow morning I might write some stuff. Tnx

Anyway, the meeting came by and I found out a signal was sent from the HQ which warrant a great repel attack.
We had a closed door meeting which lasted hours alas, war aint just won on battlefield, the winning starts from the close door plans.
Anyway we made plans involving all the officers and about 5 very experienced SNCOs mostly AWO. We planned for hours we exchanged ideas, planned on formations and strategy. Although, our commanding officer (LtCol Abdu) already planned a formation to be used. I understood from our plans that the only concern of our commander is winning and the way and manner we do it z not essential, carrying out the job z the Germane.

We made plans and drew strategy, we formed 4 teams in which every team z headed by an officer and assisted by a 2LT. It was to be a very brave fight from what we planned and we had just one hour for calvary to arrive and execute our mission. The mission was to take off by 22:00hrs and should not last later than 23:00hrs. (One hour of hell from my conclusion)

We made plans, trained hard, did the best we could to prepare for the D-day. I knew from our plans that many a soldiers will get wasted and it occurred to me I might be among the lucky ones to die fighting.
Anyway, I sent a letter to my mum a letter I thought would be the last of its kind, a letter written with pain alongside little or no faith of writing another one. I knew it was an impasse situation that might lead to the end of a creature like myself and many other. What a job I signed for, what a life am living, what a destiny awaiting me. Anyway, professionalism outsmarted everything and I knew I should not show my fear in front of my soldiers. Still, am human thinking of the future and what it hold itself z gory.

Anyway, I spoke with my commanding officer and I talked him into granting all soldiers there a phone call just to hear and speak with their family members which I knew it might be the last call for many of us. Anyway, my request was granted and my soldiers were so happy. Oh the emotions that went with it, oh the happiness, it was just heaven for my men that day. It went like that and it was just 2 weeks to the D-day.
For the 2 weeks remaining, all we do was train, train some more, hydrate, hydrate some more, dehydrate and rest. We train, joke and visit our plan more. That time gave me chance to know more about some of my men after I spoke with them. The first person I met was the earlier mentioned 18 years old private.

His name is George, he joined the military just to be able to enhance his family livelihood. George was the unfortunate first child of z nuclear family and he had 2 brothers who were way younger than him. From what he told me, George was orphaned at age 10 z both parents died the same day from a ghastic accident and their body was not even found. So in order to buy the future of z 2 junior ones, he decided to sacrifice his future and sold z freedom and peace for just camouflage and a stipend. He showed me z siblings picture which he normally put inside his cap and from what I saw those kids can't be more than 10 and 8 respectively. Anyway, Geroge was so unfortunate that after his POP from depot his first posting was Boruno. My heart bled when I heard z story and I said a little prayer for him.

Panther01:
Course mate I'm feeling this... nice work man

How ur morale..... Kai u are assuming ba u never sleep? They will soon damge u in ur sleep o

Roger.

LogoDWhiz:
OK. Drop your contact, lemme add you on whatsapp.

Please drop urs

kikayboss:
bro greatbrian.....been sending you pms' you not responding....anyways nice story love the theme and erthing about it....thumbs up

So sorry bros. Time z smfin I dnt have here and the only time I get to use my fone z after prep in the nyt. Buh drop ur line I will talk to u on whatsapp asap although if I can't tonight maybe tomorrow night around 11 or 12. Tnx

LogoDWhiz:
Awesome. I am loving this. Can we relate off nairaland?

Why not sir?

Back to the casualties, more than a hundred soldier died that day and many wounded most of them in very critical conditions. Among the wounded that day was my friend Balogun, the bullet caught me on his jungulars. Although he was in coma, and a lame man like me could not differentiate if z dead or breathing. Anyway, the medical team checked on him and gave us a little hope that there is a little breath left in him and they did there best in stabilizing him (I guess they call that first aid). I on the other hand prayed to God to please send his erratic soul so a year old boy won't be half orphaned and 2 year old bride won't be widowed. Anyway, after been stabilized, he and the other critically wounded ones were transferred to a better MRS for adequate health care. Things went like that and for the prisoners we caught we shipped them to the HQ under a heavy guard of artillery Soldiers.

Things went smooth for like a month and after a month, I received a letter from Balogun. He told me he was very fine and he has been sent on 3 weeks break for rest. For once, I wished I was shot too maybe I could have the sme fate of going home to spend good time with my families and atleast know a little of what the outside world looks like. Anyway, as the case my be my consolation was assuming I suffered same fate, maybe mine would have led to death or been physical deformed for live.
I sent back a letter to him where I asked him about his son and the name that was bestowed to him on his 8th day on earth I also inscribe in the letter that he should try and visit my mum and tell her am fending good that am just where I always wanna be.

I felt relieved and for once had a feeling of human emotions I asked myself the question is there where I really wanna be? Was dz what I really wannabe like and z dz the kinda life I really wish to leave even as a family man? Wow the answer was just a script I read as a cadet.

JOIN THE MILITARY AND BE ALL YOU
CAN BE. AND IF WE DO NOT COMEBACK, TELL THEM WE HAVE GONE
TO SACRIFICE OUR TODAY,
FOR THERE TOMORROW.

And apart dz just what I love am doing it for my family to leave in peace and for my dear country people to live without fear of external or internal aggression. Dz our live dz what we do.

After ruminating over that, I felt relieved because I got my answer. Anyway, things went fine and I Received an order for a meeting from my superior. Although, I didn't know or neither can I guess what the meeting is all about but what thing I know from the order is its smfin that warrant immediate action.

Tnx for all useful comment, addition and correction

EzeNri:
Since more men were deployed to your unit making a total of 282 men I think a Lt. Col should be part of that deployment becos that number of men can form a battalion divided into 3 companies of 90 men cos a company is made up of bw 80-120 men with a major commanding one and assisted by a Captain. The Companies will be further divided into 3 platoons of of 30 men each commanded by a Lt. and assisted by a 2nd Lt. A 2nd Lt should command a squad/section of bw 8-15 men. So the 40 man recon team u led should be reduced to 15 to reflect military realities. It should be a military squad of 15.

I love military or covert intelligence stories. Its an interest. I love ur work. Please do the correction. A Major can never command a battalion, even if the COAS is high on Osogbo weeds. A Lt Col should be the highest officer in that formation with a proper battalion office with moderate staff of 12 set up. #Viva

Tnx so much sir. Correction noted

Getting to the base, we found out casualty figure was so high on our side. Infact, we have been dazed properly we could not move for fear of been hit.
I reported to my commanding officer who was busy firing his rifle gallantly. And even in the middle of the chaos of heavy fire, he still issued me order to direct the troops while he falls back to plan how to forge ahead in other to make the fighting worthwhile.
Myself on the other hand took command of the troops before I could pull my cattridge and break some skull, I found out bullet just penetrated the man beside me a gallant corporal. Seeing gallant men fall was a gallow sight but not been able to do a thing about it is an hellish feeling. We were already dazed properly. Still, casualty figure was still reading on our side. One tradition have gotten accustomed to about the jungle was their have never been a better yesterday when it comes to us been dazed. Infact, when we thought we've seen the worst is when our impression are changed and we realise the worst z still to come.
Anyway, we were dazed properly although we shot some too but the scores was never even that day. We shot and shot name the gun AK 47 M14. We shot like robots at that moment, all we have in mind is to defend our own lives. The gun battle lasted more than 6 hours, and even after all the casualties we had we won't give up. I guess it was so too on the part of the rebels because they never stopped shooting. Alas the fight lasted on. It was unforgiven, gory, call it anything I was just hell away from hell.

After what looks like forever, the enemies fall a little back and we encroached forward more trying to make even score with them ( death reate)
If anyone told me I would survive that day, I would have tagged such a person a prophet of doom. Anyway the enemies fall back atlast after much Ado we killed the number we could and took prisoners from the ones we could capture alive.

The feeling our greatness enveloped us we were able to defend our territory that day against all odds we jubilated with morale songs and we experience what I call the climax of joy.
Although, we were caught unaware yet we still survived and conqured the best we could. Jubilation was over for me coz I have to check on the casualties.

Thank you all for the wonderful comment. And lemme try and write something tonyt no matter how short.

samlan:
bro hope u re riting diz tinz down in a book...coz in d nearest future i will love to watch d real movie or animation(lolz big guy lyk me watchin animation..bt i'm a big fan of NARUTO)...u re doing a gr8 job...#still following#.

Sure man. Tnx animation aint so bad even I watch it when am on break

Abbeys death shook me so bad I cried hard and my resentment and anger towards the terrorist sect increased. All I wanted to do was kill, destroy and see blood of the terrorist. Atleast, If God likes He can forgive terrorist, but sending them to God is our responsibility.
Anyway, things went real and professionalism had to outsmart our emotions. We boxed up the dead and shipped them home and to the extremely wounded, they were also sent to a better MRS for medical care.

It came to a point in the jungle where been shot is an excuse or a way to avoid the impasse situation. Things went more worse with us killinh and dying, many a time we get dazed by insurgents and seldomly we daze them. Take names for ourselves and celebrate our victory with morale songs and night stories. Things went like this for a long period, and before we knew it, anothe year has gone by.
It was good two years without break, all we do is kill and be killed. A whole two years without me hearing from my family. They didn't know if I was alive or lying somewhere lifeless in the jungle, hopefully if such happens I will be eaten by pigs instead of serving as manure for some useless trees which might eventually serve as an hideout for insurgents.
Anyway, as the case maybe I was no longer the mummys boy I always was. We suffered so much in the jungle, food was Gold and good food was paradise to us. With all my 2 stars I had to eat mostly undone rice and drink like cows from dirty stream. No one cares about that, all we care about was survival.

December came and it was christmas, I called my troops together just to have a happy time of our own. We all shared childhood christmas memories and at that particular time all we imagined was the delicious foods we've left untouched in the past. Christmas to us was a feast where imagination was our food, the only christmas carol we got was the sound of gun shots, our christmas cloth was a dirty and tattered camouflage on us for over a week without us taking our bath.

Things were so tough over there, we were like the forgotten heros. The only thing we never lacked was ammunitions although it might be substandard yet we are making use of it. Life went on like that throughout the festive season, more men was tranferred to our unit to strengten our force. Myself and balogun were sent to a nearby detachment to ask for reinforcement of ammunitions, getting there we found out they were blessed with a telephone to communicate with the outside world.
After implementing our order we decided to make use of the heaven we could see. I pulled out my diary typed my mums line and dialled it, she was more than happy to hear her only son talk to her again. There was no really much time for chit chat since we must get back to our detachment that day.
Balogun called his family and he realised he had a year old son which he hasn't seen before. He felt nostalgic about it and wondered what kind of father he was.
A father who never asked about or know he had an existing son, and a husband who haven't spoken with his spouse in forever. Anyway, nature made us that we too wanna be the best dad in the world who won't miss our sons betday nightmares school games just name it.

I pacified my friend and convinced him he was the best and whatever happens his son would proudly say his dad was an hell of a hero. After all said and done we packed the ammunitions and the little intel we could get and stacked out to goback to our base.
We were few kilometers to our position when we had heavy gun fire and sounds of RPG and Grenade, immediately, we knew our position has been compromised so we hedged ahead to increase our pace back to our base before our men runs out of ammo.

samlan:
wat happen to day 18 yr old boy dat caught ure attention,u aven't mentioned him...in d remaining story.

The story z still in progress.......

At this junction all I need is ur comments and ideas on my article. Critics are also welcome...............