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| "Maybe loving you is a mistake. But it's a mistake I'd gladly make for you." |
Forever
It's 2020. After nine years of service to the Philippine Division of the SS, I have been finally granted rank of Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer. Now a fully formed unit, and a recognized Paramilitary organization by the Philippine Government, the SS Philippinen became the forefront of defense against the failed communist uprising of 2017.
The failed communist uprising of 2017 was an attempt by the New People's Army to take advantage of the turmoil of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Government to try and usurp power. But, during their first assault on a Government Infrastructure, the Clark Air Field, the SS Philippine division, namely the 1st SS Panzer Philippinen Division 'Das Arkitekt', a force of 250 men, and 25 tanks, spawning 5 motorized infantry groups, and four Panzer Regiments, forged a defense of the air field and successfully defeated the communist rebels. After the battle, the commander, Gruppenfuhrer Maru Deogracias, me, was summoned to the Government Palace to be awarded the Order of Lakandula and full authorization and recognition of the SS as a Paramilitary unit. We were authorized to operate military operations at our discretion, although the Department of Defense and all its constituents are not allowed to participate in any military operations without such approval from the Commander-in-Chief, namely the President. After that, we relentlessly hunted the remnants of the New People's Army and finally, after 51 years, the Communist insurgency was finally purged from the country. The government imposed stricter measures against the communists, all parties pertaining to Communism, such as the CPP was purged, and members were arrested and tried for treason and sentenced to life in prison. In 2019, we were given the green light by the Philippine Government to open Aircraft Factories in different provinces, providing jobs for the people, and overall increasing the spending. As they saw great improvement in the economy, they also gave the green light to mass produce tanks. By early 2020, the SS had 20 airworthy Messerschmitt Bf109K-4 fighters and 50 Panzer IVs, plus 4 Panzer VI 'Tiger', 3 He-111H Bombers, and 5 Hs129B-3 heavy ground attack fighters.
In the mid 2020s, I was reviewing orders by the High Command in Berlin to be on heightened alert and ready the reserve force as they heard increasing radio chatter that the Americans, concerned over the unit's rapidly-growing strength, has stepped up military training and has given the greenlight to mobilize their units to suppress the SS. In response, we doubled the manufacturing factories across the country, increased the workforce, and doubled the effort speed. Unit wise, there is increased training from the SS Units, Infantry has doubled efforts, and officers are strengthening command capabilities. The high command has officially increased the threat level to 'Krieg' or War Phase, which allowed the production of heavy artillery, and superheavy tanks. The orders have pushed through, the factories are now in the process of making five Hummel 105mm Self-Propelled Artillery, three Jagdtigers, and three Elefants. Ten King Tigers are also being made. It has been also made clear that the Focke-Wulfe Ta 152 is to be manufactured, with delivery dates as early as late 2020 being promised. Recruitments have doubled, increasing the numbers of the SS from 250 to 4,500 in less than ten months. More units have been created, more regiments have been formed, and more equipment are manufactured.
Around June of 2020, the Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer of the SS, my boss, Karl Horst, visited me in Manila. Being an Engineer as my main job, I had to excuse myself from a day of work to meet him. During the meeting, we discussed the upcoming battle, its implications, and the future of the SS after that battle. He noted that the US is a big enemy and that fighting them would require a great deal of effort and dedication facing a giant enemy. I said that the zeal of the men towards the Reich will always float above any threat. He noted that if by chance the US does find that we are stronger and surrenders, I will be awarded with the Grand Cross to the Iron Cross, an award never bestowed upon anyone except to Hermann Goering, for his services in the modernization of the Luftwaffe and his service as its commander. I toured him in the headquarters, and he was very satisfied and gave me a commendation for my services.
In July of 2020, I believe it was around the 7th, I was given the go signal to form the coastal defenses in the 250 mile stretch of North Luzon. I had 88mm Flak Cannons installed, heavy bunkers constructed, each with its own 120mm GrW 42 Mortars, and MG42 Machine guns. Essentially everything Herr Generalfeldmarschal Rommel did during D-Day back in 1944, I had erected. Over a stretch of four months, we made a web of anti-ship, anti-personnel, and anti-tank defenses in the North of Luzon. It was around October when we were notified that not only were all our manufacturing requests were delivered, they were also produced in doubles.
Yesterday, November 11, 2020, I was celebrating my birthday with my men, and I received an order to mobilize. Apparently, reconnaissance reports from the Aufklarungsgruppe units composed of Ju87R-2 units say that a Landing unit has been moving to North of Luzon. Right into the coastal defenses. The SS was immediately put on high alert and Manila was immediately fortified with the permission of the Government. The Sicherheitsdienst was commissioned for the immediate escape of the president during a conflict that would be staged in the Capital. 14 Panzer Divisions are defending the Northern Luzon and the General der Artillerie der Philippinen SS has issued an order preparing the Railway Cannon. Yes, the Schwerer Gustav 80cm Railway Rifle. The Luftwaffe was put on high alert, and the Fallschirmjager mobilized.
I returned to the capital on February of 2021 for a meeting with the Oberkommando der Waffen-SS and was commissioned as the head of the Manila Defense Force. The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, along with the 821st Kampfgruppe von SS, and 4 other Panzer units were tasked to fortify the entire National Capital Region. In late February, we received a message from the American Commander saying that they will cease the attack if we disarm and allow entry for ships to pass through. We declined. They said to expect an attack in fifteen weeks.
Thirteen weeks later, the US launched a surprise attack on the Northern Coast. Around fifteen Landing Craft were sent to the front and a further 10 tanks were moved to the shore. Supporting them were waves of artillery from the ships, and air support from American aircraft, mostly from P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts. The 777th Panzerabwehrsoldatenkampfgruppekompanie was dispatched to eliminate the tanks and the 12th Luftwaffenflugzeugabwehrkanonegruppe was set to fight the threat. Flakvierling 20mm AT/AA and Flak 40 88mm cannons were sent to bring down aircraft. The defense has begun.
Over the next three weeks, continuous pummeling of the coastal defenses wore it down, allowing a US Armored Column to advance behind my line of defense. The 3rd Panzer Division Totenkopfverbande is now mobilized. They are the most elite SS Unit of all time. Meanwhile, at the Capital, I was contacted that my Command Jagdtiger was complete. It was to be delivered to the capital in three weeks.
After the Luftwaffe was given permission to initiate air support for the Totenkopfverbande, the US advance was put to a halt at Cordillera. The coastal batteries rotated their guns and started an artillery barrage on the advancing forces, thinning them. Unbeknownst to the stranded Americans, the Fifth Panzer Division was encircling them from Cagayan. Unternehmen Adler was in full swing. The plan was to encircle the US Division in the area and meet with the 3rd Panzer Division and push back the invading force to the Northern Shore. But an unexpected move from the landing force, the Americans pushed the 3rd Panzer Division back to Tarlac and held a stalemate there. Fearing for a push towards the Capital, the president has activated total war, and has mobilized the Volksturm volunteer units in Balintawak. My unit was also mobilized on heightened alert.
June of 2021, the battles were getting fierce, more landing parties arrive at the Northern and Western shores of the Philippines, more American Aircraft were pummeling the SS Divisions. However, the 10th, and 11th SS Panzer Divisons maintained a strong grip on Clark Air Base in Pampanga (now called Hermann Goering Air Base), allowing the Luftwaffe to continue air support for the SS Ground Troops. My commanding officer called, and said that my command unit, the 1st SS Panzer Division 'Das Arkitekt' was activated, and that my Jagdtiger would lead the charge. 10 more Panzer Divisions were handed one Jagdtiger each. We were to deliver the 3rd Panzer Division's Jagdtiger and Elefant to their position, and function as its relief force as well. We were supported by the Sturzkampfgeschwader 4 of the Luftwaffe, the most advanced and skilled ground attack unit. When we got to Tarlac, we set up a Forward HQ and had the Heavy Tank Destroyers deployed. My Jagdtiger was also delivered to the Forward HQ afterwards. In a field report, three American Armored Columns were destroyed, and it seems that the Americans find it hard to supply the units after the 5th Cut them off from the Northern Coast, relying on the slow and minimal relief from the Western coast. 14 American Aircraft were shot down, and the Americans are finding it hard to pin down our Aircraft, given that they ony have lightly-equipped carrier aircraft. We pushed forward from Tarlac to liberate Nueva Vizcaya.
June 12, 2021, the Americans made a daring advance against the 5th SS that resulted in a destroyed division for the US, and made the US units in Tarlac fall back and fortify Baguio. They sealed off all roads, and established an anti-air battery on the cliffside. The runway was also closed off to all aircraft including theirs. Nighttime aircraft drop them their supplies successfully, since our anti-air is unable to hit such altitudes. The 5th responded by surrounding Baguio, cutting off all land-based relief to the area. The 3rd was pulled back to the capital, a move that would almost cost the Philippines the war. On the 15th, M4A3E8 Shermans have been sent to Baguio from the Ilocos landing group, to reinforce the weaker M4A1 Shermans. The difference of the M4A3E8 from the M4A1 is that the M4A3E8 sports the 76mm Long Barreled cannon instead of the 75mm M1 short barrel, which offers greater penetration against our armor. The infantry were also handed M1 Bazookas and Satchel Charges. They became a full division and was activated on the 15th.
On the 20th of June, the 5th SS Division was surrounded by the Cagayan landing unit, the Ilocos landing unit, and the Baguio division. We were able to lessen the damage to the situation by activating the Railway Artillery unit based in Pangasinan, but the 5th SS was forced to isolate themselves from the third by moving into La Union. Isabela became the launching ground for Ground-based aircraft of the Americans, and now have stepped up full-scale bombing raids on units, which proved ineffective, being that the Air Superiority of the Luftwaffe outnumbered American Aircraft five to one. Subsequent retaliatory bombing raids on the airfield in Ilagan diminished the American Air Power greatly.
27th of June, the Americans got drastic, the pushed out of Baguio, moving into the harried 5th SS in La Union. On the 29th, the 5th finally surrendered, 4,000 men being captured, and the Obergruppenfuhrer of the unit committed suicide. Fearing an assault on the Pangasinan Railway Artillery, the 10th, 12th, and 9th SS Division was mobilized for the defense. I seized the opportunity to purge the Americans out of Baguio, which isolated me from relief.
30th of June, 2021. The Americans were mobilizing backward into Ifugao. The 4th, 6th, 8th, and, 13th SS Panzer Divisions finally captured the western provinces all the way to Cagayan. And the American Ilocos and Apayao landing units are now preparing to take Baguio and move to Pangasinan. I requested heavy artillery to be on the watch, and more weapons, tanks, and infantry to be delivered. I made headquarters at the Summer house of the President in Baguio. Kennon Road was littered with tanks, Panzer IV Ausf. D Infantry Support Tanks, Panzer IV Ausf. G medium tanks, Panzer V Panther medium tank, Jagdpanzer IVs, and my command tank, the Panzerjager Jagdtiger Ausf. B. And three Tiger Is, and an adjutant Tiger II command tank. Machine Guns were placed at heightened positions, mortars set in the middle of the city, and infantry littered the area I had also requisitioned 75mm Pak 43 anti-tank guns, 75mm Pak 40s and 57mm Pak 38s.
Yesterday, 3rd of July, I finally received word that the Americans have begun their advance and that the battle would begin tomorrow morning. Sturzkampfgeschwader 7 thinned down the American forces with airstrikes, and Railway artillery scattered the units. Despite this, there were around 1,000 infantry, and 25 tanks. Compared to my 400 men and 12 tanks, we are severely outnumbered. After I sent my transmission to the capital, and ordered some letters delivered, I addressed my men.
"And that was his last entry." said Peter, "Before the battle this was his last correspondence before he rode the Jagdtiger to the battle. I am the loader for the Jagdtiger, and I was the Gruppenfuhrer's best friend since we started the SS. I met him when he was still an oberleutnant in 2013. And around the time he was promoted to Standartenfuhrer and Gruppenfuhrer, he fell in love with this girl. Jean Gladys was her name if I recall correctly. Something went awry with the relationship and the Gruppenfuhrer spiraled into depression. But at one point it seemed that he forgot about it, but I knew deep down he would never forget." Peter grabbed his uniform and wore it. Hans did so as well, the driver. Peter grabbed Hans by the shoulder and said, "This is the greatest fight of our lives. The Gruppenfuhrer rides with us. Let's not let him down. Meine ehre heist treue." Hans nodded. The Jagdtiger crew were as follows, Gruppenfuhrer Deogracias was Tank Commander, Standartenfuhrer Peter Ramos was Loader, Sturmbannfuhrer Hans Bunagan was the driver, the assistant loader was Rudolf de Leon, and the assistand driver and machine gunner was Adolf Zeta. At 9 in the morning, the Jagdtiger mobilized to the frontlines at Benguet.
It wasn't more than ten minutes since they got to the front when shots started firing. Shermans began pummeling the Armored Divisions of the SS, the 12 tanks immediately lowering to 10 in the first five minutes. 4 Shermans were lost as well, lowering them to 21. American Aircraft attempted airstrikes but was thwarted by Jagdgeschwader 77, the old Luftwaffe unit Deogracias served in, now led by Max Nemeno, Luftwaffe Ace and the Star of Sorsogon. Infantry were mowed down by MG42 fire from tanks and bunkers, losing 400 men in the first hour.
It was all working when suddenly, 2 T26E1 Super Pershings arrived, knocking out five more tanks, reducing my tanks to five. Quad .50 Cal halftracks also arrived, reducing my men by half. Deo ordered his men to be on the defensive. By nightfall, fighting had ceased, with men waiting for daylight to continue their assault.
July 5, 2021, more Shermans have arrived, and more tanks of mine also arrived. Deo was given orders to destroy the T26E1 Super Pershings at all costs. He obliged and engaged a tank battle with the T26E1 that wasn't destroyed after a Luftwaffe Airstrike. The Pershing moved back into the forest, and he gave chase. For what seemed like two hours, they were playing cat and mouse to each other until the Pershing disappeared at a clearing. Deo was isolated from his unit, and then six Shermans enclosed me on all directions. Deo fired off a shot from the 122mm Cannon, knocking out a Sherman. The Shermans fired, to no avail, the 250mm Armor prevented penetration at that caliber of shells. Deo fired off another shot, taking out another Sherman before moving backward. As the Jagdtiger fired off shell after shell, the Shermans went down one by one until there were no more. They thought it was over until a shot was heard, the T26E1 fired off a shot at the back. It hit the engine. The engine failed and the tank stopped moving. Smoke filled the interior of the tank. Peter got up, wounded when shrapnel hit his chest and said, "Sir, we can't move, the tank is rearing up for another shot. Another hit, and we're done for." Deo replied, "Come closer. There is nothing to worry about." Deo clutches his back and Peter looks, seeing a bent steel portion of the armor pierced through the lung and is bleeding profusely. In between blood spurts from his mouth, Deo says, "Please... give this to Jean." He unties the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on his neck and grabs the one thing on his coat pocket, a picture of Jean Gladys he took the first time he went to see her for her play. Written on the back was, "November 21, you were so beautiful." Peter said, "Mein fuhrer, after all this time?" Deo replied, "Always." And his eyes pointed up to the open hatch of the Jagdtiger. Peter thought to the tank behind them, he climbed out the hatch to see it destroyed. A Panzer relief unit arrived 20 minutes later, the Americans were defeated after the Pangasinan defense units supported.
Gruppenfuhrer Deo was posthumously awarded the Grand Cross to the Iron Cross. Peter was promoted to Gruppenfuhrer and led the Philippinen SS. Jean Gladys received the merit message for Deo's Knight's Cross and it read
I returned to the capital on February of 2021 for a meeting with the Oberkommando der Waffen-SS and was commissioned as the head of the Manila Defense Force. The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, along with the 821st Kampfgruppe von SS, and 4 other Panzer units were tasked to fortify the entire National Capital Region. In late February, we received a message from the American Commander saying that they will cease the attack if we disarm and allow entry for ships to pass through. We declined. They said to expect an attack in fifteen weeks.
Thirteen weeks later, the US launched a surprise attack on the Northern Coast. Around fifteen Landing Craft were sent to the front and a further 10 tanks were moved to the shore. Supporting them were waves of artillery from the ships, and air support from American aircraft, mostly from P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts. The 777th Panzerabwehrsoldatenkampfgruppekompanie was dispatched to eliminate the tanks and the 12th Luftwaffenflugzeugabwehrkanonegruppe was set to fight the threat. Flakvierling 20mm AT/AA and Flak 40 88mm cannons were sent to bring down aircraft. The defense has begun.
Over the next three weeks, continuous pummeling of the coastal defenses wore it down, allowing a US Armored Column to advance behind my line of defense. The 3rd Panzer Division Totenkopfverbande is now mobilized. They are the most elite SS Unit of all time. Meanwhile, at the Capital, I was contacted that my Command Jagdtiger was complete. It was to be delivered to the capital in three weeks.
After the Luftwaffe was given permission to initiate air support for the Totenkopfverbande, the US advance was put to a halt at Cordillera. The coastal batteries rotated their guns and started an artillery barrage on the advancing forces, thinning them. Unbeknownst to the stranded Americans, the Fifth Panzer Division was encircling them from Cagayan. Unternehmen Adler was in full swing. The plan was to encircle the US Division in the area and meet with the 3rd Panzer Division and push back the invading force to the Northern Shore. But an unexpected move from the landing force, the Americans pushed the 3rd Panzer Division back to Tarlac and held a stalemate there. Fearing for a push towards the Capital, the president has activated total war, and has mobilized the Volksturm volunteer units in Balintawak. My unit was also mobilized on heightened alert.
June of 2021, the battles were getting fierce, more landing parties arrive at the Northern and Western shores of the Philippines, more American Aircraft were pummeling the SS Divisions. However, the 10th, and 11th SS Panzer Divisons maintained a strong grip on Clark Air Base in Pampanga (now called Hermann Goering Air Base), allowing the Luftwaffe to continue air support for the SS Ground Troops. My commanding officer called, and said that my command unit, the 1st SS Panzer Division 'Das Arkitekt' was activated, and that my Jagdtiger would lead the charge. 10 more Panzer Divisions were handed one Jagdtiger each. We were to deliver the 3rd Panzer Division's Jagdtiger and Elefant to their position, and function as its relief force as well. We were supported by the Sturzkampfgeschwader 4 of the Luftwaffe, the most advanced and skilled ground attack unit. When we got to Tarlac, we set up a Forward HQ and had the Heavy Tank Destroyers deployed. My Jagdtiger was also delivered to the Forward HQ afterwards. In a field report, three American Armored Columns were destroyed, and it seems that the Americans find it hard to supply the units after the 5th Cut them off from the Northern Coast, relying on the slow and minimal relief from the Western coast. 14 American Aircraft were shot down, and the Americans are finding it hard to pin down our Aircraft, given that they ony have lightly-equipped carrier aircraft. We pushed forward from Tarlac to liberate Nueva Vizcaya.
June 12, 2021, the Americans made a daring advance against the 5th SS that resulted in a destroyed division for the US, and made the US units in Tarlac fall back and fortify Baguio. They sealed off all roads, and established an anti-air battery on the cliffside. The runway was also closed off to all aircraft including theirs. Nighttime aircraft drop them their supplies successfully, since our anti-air is unable to hit such altitudes. The 5th responded by surrounding Baguio, cutting off all land-based relief to the area. The 3rd was pulled back to the capital, a move that would almost cost the Philippines the war. On the 15th, M4A3E8 Shermans have been sent to Baguio from the Ilocos landing group, to reinforce the weaker M4A1 Shermans. The difference of the M4A3E8 from the M4A1 is that the M4A3E8 sports the 76mm Long Barreled cannon instead of the 75mm M1 short barrel, which offers greater penetration against our armor. The infantry were also handed M1 Bazookas and Satchel Charges. They became a full division and was activated on the 15th.
On the 20th of June, the 5th SS Division was surrounded by the Cagayan landing unit, the Ilocos landing unit, and the Baguio division. We were able to lessen the damage to the situation by activating the Railway Artillery unit based in Pangasinan, but the 5th SS was forced to isolate themselves from the third by moving into La Union. Isabela became the launching ground for Ground-based aircraft of the Americans, and now have stepped up full-scale bombing raids on units, which proved ineffective, being that the Air Superiority of the Luftwaffe outnumbered American Aircraft five to one. Subsequent retaliatory bombing raids on the airfield in Ilagan diminished the American Air Power greatly.
27th of June, the Americans got drastic, the pushed out of Baguio, moving into the harried 5th SS in La Union. On the 29th, the 5th finally surrendered, 4,000 men being captured, and the Obergruppenfuhrer of the unit committed suicide. Fearing an assault on the Pangasinan Railway Artillery, the 10th, 12th, and 9th SS Division was mobilized for the defense. I seized the opportunity to purge the Americans out of Baguio, which isolated me from relief.
30th of June, 2021. The Americans were mobilizing backward into Ifugao. The 4th, 6th, 8th, and, 13th SS Panzer Divisions finally captured the western provinces all the way to Cagayan. And the American Ilocos and Apayao landing units are now preparing to take Baguio and move to Pangasinan. I requested heavy artillery to be on the watch, and more weapons, tanks, and infantry to be delivered. I made headquarters at the Summer house of the President in Baguio. Kennon Road was littered with tanks, Panzer IV Ausf. D Infantry Support Tanks, Panzer IV Ausf. G medium tanks, Panzer V Panther medium tank, Jagdpanzer IVs, and my command tank, the Panzerjager Jagdtiger Ausf. B. And three Tiger Is, and an adjutant Tiger II command tank. Machine Guns were placed at heightened positions, mortars set in the middle of the city, and infantry littered the area I had also requisitioned 75mm Pak 43 anti-tank guns, 75mm Pak 40s and 57mm Pak 38s.
Yesterday, 3rd of July, I finally received word that the Americans have begun their advance and that the battle would begin tomorrow morning. Sturzkampfgeschwader 7 thinned down the American forces with airstrikes, and Railway artillery scattered the units. Despite this, there were around 1,000 infantry, and 25 tanks. Compared to my 400 men and 12 tanks, we are severely outnumbered. After I sent my transmission to the capital, and ordered some letters delivered, I addressed my men.
"And that was his last entry." said Peter, "Before the battle this was his last correspondence before he rode the Jagdtiger to the battle. I am the loader for the Jagdtiger, and I was the Gruppenfuhrer's best friend since we started the SS. I met him when he was still an oberleutnant in 2013. And around the time he was promoted to Standartenfuhrer and Gruppenfuhrer, he fell in love with this girl. Jean Gladys was her name if I recall correctly. Something went awry with the relationship and the Gruppenfuhrer spiraled into depression. But at one point it seemed that he forgot about it, but I knew deep down he would never forget." Peter grabbed his uniform and wore it. Hans did so as well, the driver. Peter grabbed Hans by the shoulder and said, "This is the greatest fight of our lives. The Gruppenfuhrer rides with us. Let's not let him down. Meine ehre heist treue." Hans nodded. The Jagdtiger crew were as follows, Gruppenfuhrer Deogracias was Tank Commander, Standartenfuhrer Peter Ramos was Loader, Sturmbannfuhrer Hans Bunagan was the driver, the assistant loader was Rudolf de Leon, and the assistand driver and machine gunner was Adolf Zeta. At 9 in the morning, the Jagdtiger mobilized to the frontlines at Benguet.
It wasn't more than ten minutes since they got to the front when shots started firing. Shermans began pummeling the Armored Divisions of the SS, the 12 tanks immediately lowering to 10 in the first five minutes. 4 Shermans were lost as well, lowering them to 21. American Aircraft attempted airstrikes but was thwarted by Jagdgeschwader 77, the old Luftwaffe unit Deogracias served in, now led by Max Nemeno, Luftwaffe Ace and the Star of Sorsogon. Infantry were mowed down by MG42 fire from tanks and bunkers, losing 400 men in the first hour.
It was all working when suddenly, 2 T26E1 Super Pershings arrived, knocking out five more tanks, reducing my tanks to five. Quad .50 Cal halftracks also arrived, reducing my men by half. Deo ordered his men to be on the defensive. By nightfall, fighting had ceased, with men waiting for daylight to continue their assault.
July 5, 2021, more Shermans have arrived, and more tanks of mine also arrived. Deo was given orders to destroy the T26E1 Super Pershings at all costs. He obliged and engaged a tank battle with the T26E1 that wasn't destroyed after a Luftwaffe Airstrike. The Pershing moved back into the forest, and he gave chase. For what seemed like two hours, they were playing cat and mouse to each other until the Pershing disappeared at a clearing. Deo was isolated from his unit, and then six Shermans enclosed me on all directions. Deo fired off a shot from the 122mm Cannon, knocking out a Sherman. The Shermans fired, to no avail, the 250mm Armor prevented penetration at that caliber of shells. Deo fired off another shot, taking out another Sherman before moving backward. As the Jagdtiger fired off shell after shell, the Shermans went down one by one until there were no more. They thought it was over until a shot was heard, the T26E1 fired off a shot at the back. It hit the engine. The engine failed and the tank stopped moving. Smoke filled the interior of the tank. Peter got up, wounded when shrapnel hit his chest and said, "Sir, we can't move, the tank is rearing up for another shot. Another hit, and we're done for." Deo replied, "Come closer. There is nothing to worry about." Deo clutches his back and Peter looks, seeing a bent steel portion of the armor pierced through the lung and is bleeding profusely. In between blood spurts from his mouth, Deo says, "Please... give this to Jean." He unties the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords on his neck and grabs the one thing on his coat pocket, a picture of Jean Gladys he took the first time he went to see her for her play. Written on the back was, "November 21, you were so beautiful." Peter said, "Mein fuhrer, after all this time?" Deo replied, "Always." And his eyes pointed up to the open hatch of the Jagdtiger. Peter thought to the tank behind them, he climbed out the hatch to see it destroyed. A Panzer relief unit arrived 20 minutes later, the Americans were defeated after the Pangasinan defense units supported.
Gruppenfuhrer Deo was posthumously awarded the Grand Cross to the Iron Cross. Peter was promoted to Gruppenfuhrer and led the Philippinen SS. Jean Gladys received the merit message for Deo's Knight's Cross and it read
For when fear gathers most in our minds, our first instinct is to run. This was not the case for Standartenfuhrer Maru Deogracias. In an infantry battle with the communists in the North, he valiantly stood against the waves of men, running out of ammo, and charging the enemies, defending the frontline from being overrun. A shining example of valiance and bravery beyond the call of duty. To form strength and values beyond that of a normal soldier, let alone a normal Standartenfuhrer. His personal request before this medal was handed was to engrave it with the name 'Jean Gladys' on the reverse. Now I do not know how it happens but it looks like the motivation the Standartenfuhrer needed was love. Love made him stand and fight, knowing that your life depended on his, and he was prepared to lay that down as a sacrifice on the altar of the reich to ensure that you would live to breathe another day in safety. You are the light that gave him hope and strength to face whatever was there to face.
Awarded 7/7/2015.
Behind the Merit was another piece of paper. It was Deo's letter to Jean.
If you are receiving this, then I am sure I fell in the field of battle. I would first of all like to say thank you for being friends with me. You do not know the pain of being alone in a new school for someone like me. Next of all, I am sorry for all the hurt I have caused you during my romantic conquest of you. But the biggest thing I would apologize for is for not being here longer to be there for you, regardless if you needed me or not.
And scribbled in the postscript were the words, "I love you, Jean."
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