Bab 1: Prologue

June 6, 1944

Omaha Beach

Lieutenant Alberto Bramble, a seasoned soldier in his early thirties, led his squad into the frigid waters of the English Channel. The air was thick with tension, and the salty spray mixed with the acrid smell of gunpowder. Alberto's heart pounded in his chest as he gazed out at the beach ahead, a hellscape of sand and surf, littered with obstacles and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

"Go! Go! Go!" Alberto shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. He could see the German defenses looming in the distance, their machine guns barking like angry beasts. Among his squad were Sergeant Jammy, a wiry soldier with a quick wit; Sam, a burly man; and Andrew, the youngest of the group, barely out of his teens.

As they waded through the water, bullets whizzed past, some striking the landing craft and sending splinters flying. The chaos of the battlefield was overwhelming. Alberto pushed forward, urging his men to follow.

"Keep moving!" he yelled, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his insides. "We need to reach the beach!"

The soldiers pressed on, their boots sinking into the wet sand as they fought against the waves. The sound of gunfire intensified, and Alberto could see men falling around him, their bodies crumpling under the relentless barrage. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he reached the shore, the solid ground beneath his feet offering a momentary sense of relief.

"Get to cover!" he shouted, diving behind a tank trap that jutted out of the sand. The others followed, panting and wide-eyed. Sergeant Jammy was the first to speak, his voice shaky. "What now, Lieutenant?"

Alberto peered over the edge of the tank trap, scanning the beach. The German bunkers were fortified, their positions well-guarded. "We need to take out those machine guns," he said, his mind racing. "If we don't, we'll never get off this beach."

Sam nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I'll cover you, Lieutenant. Just give me the signal."

"Alright," Alberto replied, taking a deep breath. "On my mark, we move."

He glanced at Andrew, who was trembling beside him. "Stay close, Private. We'll get through this together."

"Y-Yes, Lieutenant," Andrew stammered, his eyes wide with fear.

"Go!" Alberto shouted, and Sam opened fire, his rifle barking as he laid down suppressive fire. Alberto sprinted from cover, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the heat of the bullets whizzing past him, but he focused on the task at hand.

He reached the first bunker, crouching low as he approached. The sound of gunfire was deafening, but he could see the German soldiers inside, their faces twisted in concentration as they fired at the advancing troops. With a quick glance back at Sam and Andrew, he took a deep breath and charged forward.

"Cover me!" he yelled, throwing himself against the side of the bunker. He could hear Sam's rifle firing behind him, the sound of bullets striking the sand and metal. Alberto reached for a grenade, pulling the pin and tossing it inside the bunker.

"Grenade!" he shouted, diving for cover. Explosion <Boom>, and he felt the heat wash over him. He peeked around the corner, seeing the German soldiers scrambling in confusion.

"Let's go!" Alberto shouted, rushing inside. He fired his rifle, taking down two soldiers before they could react. The bunker was dimly lit, smoke swirling in the air, and the stench of gunpowder filled his nostrils.

As he turned to leave, a German soldier emerged from the shadows, his rifle raised. Alberto saw the glint of metal, and his heart skipped a beat. He tried to raise his rifle, but it was too late. The German soldier fired, and Alberto felt a searing pain in his chest.

He stumbled backward, his vision blurring. He saw Sam and Andrew rushing toward him, their faces etched with concern. "Lieutenant!" Sam shouted, grabbing his arm. "No! No! No!"

Alberto's vision faded to black, and he felt himself falling. He knew he was dying, but he also knew that his men would make it off the beach. They would survive, and they would win the war.

As the darkness closed in, Alberto smiled, a sense of pride and satisfaction washing over him. He had done his duty, and he had given his life for his country. He was at peace.

______________

Continue ——→