Before Duval can answer the radioman’s question, a long burst of submachine gun fire echoes across the desert as Martinez opens up on the leading element of the fellaghas – the fells make the mistake of bunching up, and the caporal intends to make them pay dearly, but the bullets pass harmlessly.
Sgt. Duval raises his MAT-49 and fires a long burst as well, effectively answering Vidal. Three of the fells at the head of the column reel as the slugs hit home.
Note: Vidal’s attack or move action will conclude the surprise round – regular initiative order begins here for purposes of resolving actions, but feel free to post in any order. Pyotr can take his shot in the first combat round, but cannot move if he does (half of the full-round to sight the target was the surprise round, half your move action for this round).
Martinez and Dinter both fire again, a long burst from the submachine gun by Martinez, a single rifle crack by Dinter, but neither finds a target. Around Vidal and Marcel there is an explosion of gunfire – Duval delivers another drawn out blast of automatic fire while Lavareaux gives a short burst. The three fells at the head of the column collapse in a heap as Lavareaux’s man lurches a step backward. Over the crash of fire Lavareaux yells, “Martinez, fall back!”
Among the rocks to the south, Sgt. Neumann repeats, “Pick your targets,” as he sights down the barrel of the Mauser. The old Wehrmacht rifle fires and the German utters a guttural, “Bah!” in disgust.
At the edge of the oued, the fellaghas recover from the shock of the sudden attack, dropping prone among the bushes and returning fire with their rifles and at least one shotgun. Vidal and Marcel hear the bullets whizzing past or zinging off the rocks.
