Chapter 1

Dense fog shrouded the 4th Fleet as the convoy of Destroyers and Transports moved unseen through the South-Western area of the White Sea. Now the fleet had moved into position, they waited until dawn to strike.

As the fog rolled back like a sheet being removed from the surface of the water, the first patches of clear sky burst through the overhead cloud cover, and the dawn light emerged from beyond the clouds. The time had come. All across the fleet line, there was activity as the ships began to move in toward the beaches near Belomorsk. The engines of the transports hummed in a low, quiet drone as the warship escorts followed them, streaming foamy wake behind the mighty vessels. 

Captain Wallis stood at the observation deck of Transport #04, his officers cap replaced with a battle helmet, and combat fatigues in place of uniform. He watched through binoculars into the distance, at the barely-visible beaches. His adjutant, Lieutenant Baxter, appeared beside him and saluted: ''Communique from HMS Cunningham, Sir.'' He held out a computer-print, and Wallis took it and read it. He spoke to his aide in a strong, commanding tone, ''We're in range. Prepare the troops for amphibious landing, Lieutenant.'' Baxter saluted and the two British officers left for the troop-deck.

Chapter 2

The invasion of this stretch of sea was to create a beachhead for a massed invasion of Karelia, tha area of Russia adjoining Finland. The initial landings were being spearheaded by British, and German, forces. The first landing was to consist of a British troop surge escorted by a German tank gruppe. 

While the craft approached the mainland, the warning klaxons erupted with noise. Conscripted soldiers ran to their posts, sentry emplacements were suddenly buzzing with activity, and in moments the defence line was on alert. The loudspeakers boomed with the voice of General Anatoly Dragznev. ''Attention all posts, be on alert! This is a battle for Mother Russia! Death to the Allies, Glory To The Motherland!'' Dragznev inspired his troops with speeches such as these, as well as great command skills, and ruthless leadership in combat.

The landing craft hovered out of the gloomy sea mist toward the beach. Transport #04 was placed in between Transport #02, #03, #06 and #09.Transport #04 was traveling at a faster speed to the rest, as it was the lead vessel.#04(Alpha Company), #02(Beta Company) and #03 (Delta Company) carried the infantry, while the other two (Omega and Gamma) held the German armor support. 

The ships closed in on the sloping beach. In the troop-bay, Captain Wallis stood ready at the troop-hatch. He called to his men over the noise of engines, gunfire and sirens: ''Remember men: If we pull this off, we'll have put a serious dent in Ivan's war plans. Keep moving, remember your objectives...'' The ships slowed rapidly at the foot of the beach, the men checked their weapons, Wallis and Baxter loaded their SA80's. the troop-hatch opened on the front-loading transport craft. As the hatch opened, Wallis bawled: ''For England, Boys!''

As one, the troop companies of Transport #02, #03 and #04 stormed out of the landing craft in onto the beach. deadly sentry fire raked the sand and gravel around Alpha Company. several men fell dead as the three groups rushed up the beach. There were obstacles littering the beach (designed to stop tanks/boats), which the troops were quick to utilize as cover. As the British troops landed, the rumbling of the German armor shook the ground. The tanks unloaded and stood poised at the foot of the beach, preparing to lay down artillery fire for the infantry. The nearest Soviet emplacement ripped apart the hull of the lead Gamma Company tank before the battery was shelled by Omega's tanks.

Continue to Chapters 3 and 4 here »