Tank Lord: The Iron Beast

The Poland Invasion the start of WW2 part 2.

After the failed attempt by Hitler to re-negotiate some part of the area from the newly obtained Slovakia territory and take back the Danzig corridor but after many failed attempts to negotiate failed as Hitler learn the news that Poland has sent an army in rejection which successfully angered Hitler as he then sent an army back in retaliation while retaking the Danzig corridor by force the next week that follows Britain and French as if knowing their sworn allies were attacked they declared war on Germany.

The following day after the declaration of war, Germany sent its newest panzer group army that had taken a quarter of Poland territory within just a few weeks and this was made possible by the newest technology by the German army which is a smaller armored vehicle that is both small and more maneuverable than its predecessor to strike Poland off guard. 

Upon learning such information, the world was surprised by such new feasible technology that can be used for war while also maintaining their safety behind such iron cased vehicle the very thing thought to be impossible by the military from another country where the first design was thought would be more cumbersome than its previous model during the great war. 

That idea soon changes as the world watches how the German-made its first try with the invasion of Poland not only decimating their military but also conquering half of the territory Poland were taken the first week like they were nothing upon learning the news French and Great Britain quickly declared war on Germany as a response toward the aggression. 

“Those Poland barely put up any sign of a fight,” says Rommel as he stared through the viewport. 

“Well, those Poland don’t have enough time to make a new weapon for themselves where they could produce it on their own,”  says Richard looking out from the safety of the Panzer. 

“Yeah, I think they are... I heard they were given by those Soviets before their independence,” says Richard as he opens the turret hatch. 

“Is that so?” asked Ludwig a bit unconvinced. 

“Yeah, I think they do that’s what I heard from the higher up.” Rommel confirming the news. 

“Is that so... well they are still ill-prepared against us, I guess," says Ludwig as he shrugs his head. “Do you think those soviets will attack us though, I mean even though we made some the deal with them they would not be bounded by it.” he continues. 

“About that, you don’t need to worry about it they have a problem of their own and even we still have enough time even if they do try to attack us, that If they don’t have any more outside interference.” said Richard while still watching through his scope “we’ve got Incoming enemy” as he continues. 

“Understood… those are horses?!” says Rommel as he stared through the viewport in surprise. 

“What?! Those Poland thought that our panzer would be easily penetrated by those rifles? Are they making jokes of us?” Says Ludwig a bit confused and angry. 

“No need to say anymore... Open fire,” says Richard over the radio. 

The entire Panzer squad opened fire on the approaching horse group as they were quickly disposed of with the horse soldier were killed without them being able to resist or make any sort of damage back to the incoming panzer group as the Panzer track squashed their body into two or more part while passing through their corpse-like it was nothing. 

“I can't believe, we are being indirectly insulted by them,” says Ludwig without feeling any comfort. 

“... Yeah,” says Rommel as he still holding his gear forward which moved the Panzer. 

“Maybe they want to throw away those obsolete stuff at us, first so we no longer have any ammo if we fought their main army so tell the others to use their ammo sparingly.” says Richard as he looks out through the viewport “We may not know what they are planning for us.” as he continues. 

“Understood... I will relay the order,” says Ludwig as he speaks through the radio. 

Due to Richard's conservative nature, his ammo consumption had dropped by significantly together with his entire Panzer group as they battle and taken over new territory day by day. After few weeks have passed his panzer group manage to reach Lodz and is far quicker than the other group, after many battles they fought against Poland’s obsolete army. 

Poland took damage which caused the loss of supplies, weapons, and manpower unlike the normal engagement the rest of the panzer group and mechanized infantry took only meager losses due to Poland’s inability to counter-attack and failed to inflict any sort of damage back to the German invader. 

“We have arrived at Lodz, Richard… so what should we do?” says Ludwig as he turns to the side. 

“I guess we need to synchronize our attack with the mechanized infantry since we would deal with the Warsaw, they would have some defense ready as our welcome.” Says Richard as he goes out of the tank hatch to look at the surroundings.  

“Well certainly they would do that… well I just hope our tank would be able to hold out well against them.” Says Rommel through the radio. 

The other tanker who heard it could only snicker after listening to it as if listening to a joke. 

“The city should be near us right about…" said Richard as he looked through the scope. 

When he was about to finish briefing with the other suddenly a shockwave and sound occurred near them and it was an explosion from a shell that surprised the entire squad as they focus on Poland's defensive lines and returned fire. 

“What a great welcome.” Says one of the crew. 

“Fire back on them.” Says the other crew. 

The firing exchange produced certain unpredictable results even though the Richard group manage to make some damage to Poland when the Luftwaffe Stuka plane appeared from the horizon lending a hand to assist because of the sudden air attack and destruction of its anti-air capabilities the Poland defensive line was rendered useless when the German army with its combined military effort made by both the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe. 

“That was an unexpected... damn, those Luftwaffe making such entry good one too,” says Ludwig a bit light mood. 

“What can I say those big wigs on the top, really know how to play the game.” says the other tanker as he snickers. 

“At the very least they lighten the load to a certain amount.” Said Rommel as he smiles a bit. 

“Well, that’s true… let's move into the city,” says Richard as he opened his turret hatch. 

Upon coming out of the turret he looked around at his surroundings finding there are many wreckage and infantry corps especially the soldier from Poland littering the street, Richard then looked at his back where the German Infantry was walking behind the tank as they looked up to him in amazement. 

“What is it sir?” says one of the soldiers a bit curious. 

“Where is your captain? Tell him to come over here, I got some heads up for the next coordination with the possible threat in some of the building,” says Richard as he looks at one of the soldiers. 

“Okay, I'll tell him.” says the soldier as he turns around to have a look for his captain. 

After a moment later the soldier comes back with the captain, where Richard turns around then motions Ludwig to give him the map and he was given the map before put it down on the back of the turret before start briefing with the captain. 

“What is your name captain... at the very least, I don’t want to be confused by the next time we meet,” says Richard as he looks at the captain. 

“It’s Erick. Gotz Erickson, sir.” says the captain introducing himself. 

“Good well met, I’m Richard... What I need are your men to go and search this small alleyway for any possible strangler.” Says Richard as he points his finger at three spots near their location. 

“Hm... it’s possible if we do that but we would be stretched too thin to give any possible resistance against the enemy soldier if they came after you,” says Erick as if objecting to such request. 

“Don't worry about that if they do come just worry on that spot, we could take care of it ourselves,” says Richard as if affirming what he just said. 

“Okay, I don’t want any guilt if you die because of it. Sir Richard.” Says Erick as he gave a wry smile. 

After Hearing it, Richard Snickered as he looks at Erick before opening his mouth to reply at him. 

“Don't worry if I died that it's because of my negligence, not yours,” says Richard as he nodded. 

“Then for the great leader,” says Erick gave a salute before leaving to his squad. 

“Yes, for the great leader,” says Richard saluting back before getting back inside the turret then closed the hatch. 

“Certainty they would take your word without question... and for once I thought I’m together with an old man instead of a young man,” said Ludwig as he could only sigh. 

“Old man you say, then Ludwig should be called a grandpa since you look like someone who likes to nag other then.” Said Rommel as he laughed at the end. 

“… That’s.” Says Ludwig as he gave a confused look. 

“Well at the very least our grandpa is still young and quite loveable.” Rommel laughs at the last of the sentence. 

“Sometimes you are irk-able, Rommel.” as Ludwig gave wry smile. 

“Well, thank you for the compliment,” says Rommel as he turns his head around and smiles at Ludwig. 

Hearing this made Ludwig shows his discomfort face before turning back to his radio then carry on with his work, Richard who was between the two could only give a small smile and also do his own set of work as he peers through the scope seeing the entire battlefield. 

Through the lenses of the scope, he saw that most of the buildings were turned into ruin because of the countless bombardment by the Luftwaffe bomber plane that came and goes failing to hit its supposed target. 

“Rommel move to area D6 and slowly, please.” Says Richard as still on the scope looking at the surrounding. 

“Okay, Richard.” As he pulls all the gear forward. 

When that happen, a few infantries were escorting the panzer from the side staying alert as they all moved through the small street of the Warsaw city street when a gunshot was heard from one of the windows which managed to kill a few of the Wehrmacht soldiers in surprise as they took cover fairly quickly behind the Panzer. 

Richard behind the panzer quickly aimed the g*n at the enemy who is shooting at the Wehrmacht and pulled the trigger shooting the enemy which manages to kill some of them who hide behind the wall as the rest find manage to find cover away from it when suddenly gunfire was heard beside them the other group managed to hold the enemy soldier by the tread as the frequency of the shot gets more frequent as the firefight happened on both left and right side where Richard currently on. 

After the initial attack the enemy came out from the windows once more and this time, they brought an anti-tan, rifle to combat the panzer but Luckly Richard noticed this act and already aimed the turret’s barrel and pulled the trigger as the panzer’s machinegun fired upon the enemy position which kills the anti-tank operator. 

“Ludwig tells the other tank to reverse quickly unless we want some trouble on our hand,” says Richard as he glanced at him. 

“Yes” Answered Ludwig as he turns to the radio then relaying the order. 

A minute after it the engine of the panzer roared as it slowly moved back. 

“Rommel time to move,” says Richard. 

“Okay, moving back.” Says Rommel as he pulls the gear back. 

The Panzer where Richard is currently on moved back as the infantry goes in for the kill running to the building search room by room as they find few enemy soldiers hidden inside the building shooting at the infantry upon founding out they were quickly disposed of until they surrender and later on, they did as the enemy raised their hands and throw away their weapon. 

Looking at the building Richard sighed as he opened his mouth relaying the next order to his crew. 

“Okay, time to move Rommel. Ludwig relay the next order that we are going to join in with the other at Warsaw, we’re going to flank the enemy side,” says Richard as he barks order after order. 

“Understood, Richard” as Rommel pushes forward the lever. 

“Okay...” as Ludwig Relayed the next order to the order. 

This time the Panzer who first moved together with the motorized Infantry now leaving alone to the Warsaw city as the infantry stayed at Lodz city awaiting to be reinforced by the new regiment that was supposed to arrive shortly. 

Richard along with his panzer group meets some resistance along the way but most of them are helpless against the fast and armored German panzer coming through them as many casualties were sustained by the Poland army. 

Upon arriving on Warsaw's city outskirts, Richard managed to reach the city a bit faster than the main army of the Wehrmacht main group as the plan was to overtake the city together with the main panzer group as they were assisted together both by the Wehrmacht Regiment and also the Luftwaffe group. 

The idea seems much less feasible since not only were they much quicker than the main army but also not all the defense are up as there is some blank spot where the panzer could get inside the city unharmed while also flanking any defending enemy unit on Warsaw's outskirt. 

When they are still on the move, Richard contemplates how should he proceed as the other crew was still busy at their workstation. 

Upon arriving Richard and his squad was greeted by the barely begun defensive line on Warsaw as most of the Defender just started building the trench line when Richard's Armored squad arrived which surprised them as they quickly run for their weapon but before they could the Armored Turret fired at the soldier before they could even react nor were they able to run from it. 

Surprised and confused by the attack the surviving and the lucky soldier are prone to the ground as they search for cover but without any weapon to retaliate, they find any small stick search any white cloth signaling their surrender to Richard's group. 

“Tell the other to hold fire, they're surrendering.” Said Richard as he looks around for any enemy that may have been a threat if he comes out. 

“Hold fire, everyone… hold fire.” Say Ludwig to his radio. 

Receiving their order, the entire squad stopped firing as they were on the alert. 

“Cover me, I’m going out… if anything happens to me, Rommel you’re in charge. Ludwig takes over my spot.” Says Richard as he slowly opened the hatch. 

“Eh?” says both Ludwig and Rommel in surprise. 

“Wait, what?! You know we're in the middle of the battlefield, right?!” says Rommel anxiously as he was surprised by Richard’s action. 

Before Rommel and Ludwig were able to hear any reply back from Richard, he already jumped out to the upper part of the Panzer and jumped out to the backside of the vehicle and as he jumped down from it, he managed to pull out his standard pistol then he walked forward as he motions the other tank to follow him. 

This part of the action, dumbfounded the enemy as it was to his squad mates as he carries only his pistol in his hand while staring at the enemy's last known location and slowly walk forward along with the panzer. 

“Soldier of Poland this is the Wehrmacht army, surrender now and we shall spare your life while we are still kind enough to let you live but if there is any resistance, we are forced to open fire,” shouted Richard calmly. 

Upon hearing this declaration, the remaining enemy soldier whispered from the corner hidden or the covered building as they weigh their option. 

“As much we want to conquer this place but our Fuhrer does not wish bloodshed from our two people if he could, all we want is the Danzig corridor to ensure our people.” Richard looks from one side to another. 

Some of the enemies gulped as the others were still on the lookout from Richard as they are still unsure how to proceed but the next word that came out from Richard started to force them to surrender and even lay down their weapons. 

“Even you fought against us it's all-meaningless fighting for your family, lands, heritage? Even as you fought your government would run away as you fight if you have family back home it's better to surrender and go back home. You may want to live, not for your country but your family.” says Richard as he pressed their mental weakness. 

The enemy this time turn around and looked at each other as they quickly raised their hands and put down their weapon as they don’t have any issue of surrendering and their officer or leader was also in doubt about it and was forced to choose surrender as he walks out from cover. 

“That is unexpected,” said Rommel as he looks through the viewport. 

“Yeah, they're surrendering,” says Ludwig as he does the same. 

After this interaction, the Poland government was put to a total end as they were surprised by the arrival of Richard's group when they were about to run one or two panzers were found at every entrance of the city to inspect every people who go in and out of it. 

Richard who also has a good memory manage to catch the president and part of the minister during the inspection which put an end to the exile government in its place.