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GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1
GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1
GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1
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GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1

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Game On! takes the reader deep inside covert combat missions as seen through the eyes of Rob van Duis, a member of Strike Team Bravo and former Vietnam vet. This journal is based on true events that transpired while he was a soldier in Nicaragua fighting against the Communist Sandinista rebels.

The story begins with Bravo Team’s clandestine arrival into Nicaragua. Van Duis and his teammates hit the ground running as they battle Sandinista rebels deep in enemy territory. His team’s first-full scale battle is to purge a peaceful countryside villa of the armed combatants that have besieged it. After a vicious door-to-door fight to clear the villa’s dwellings of rebels, it takes all the firepower available to defeat the horde of insurgents, who have taken innocent villagers hostage.

On another mission as a solo strike team, Bravo is inserted into a rebel-infested area to neutralize a weapons supply depot, but as happenstance would have it they are faced by an enemy force double the size they anticipated. The hazardous assignment takes yet another unforeseen turn; as van Duis and team flee to the exfiltration point, they are faced with taking an injured young peasant girl to safety with armed Sandinistas on their heels.

Van Duis provides an insider’s look at the trauma of warfare’s brutality. Each mission is depicted with the intensity that only a real participant can portray. Even as a trained and experienced warrior, in the face of hideous combat he is affected by what he witnesses; the catastrophic aftermath to the civilians caught in the chaos of war.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 20, 2012
ISBN9780988756502
GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1
Author

Peter Duysings

I was born in the majestic mountainous city of Sukabumi, Island of Java, Indonesia (The former Dutch East Indies Colony), of mixed-ethnic parents. I am a mixed-blooded 'mutt'; Dutch-Indonesian, German, Chinese, French, British, Surinamese, Swiss, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. My Father was a former-Dutch Army officer, ex-Japanese POW survivor (3 1/2 years behind the wire under brutal conditions), and one of many Indonesian political scapegoat POWs during the country’s cold war period following the WWII post-war years. Prior to his last capture, he was a high-level guerilla leader leading resistance fighters against a despotic Indonesian government regime. Born and raised on Java as a Dutch citizen, he had resigned his military commission and decided to live out his life in the only country he knew since birth. The country's newly-fledged independence from Dutch Colonial control was wrought with scandalous political strife and bloody conflict by those indigenous Indonesians, who wanted to eradicate any foreigner from the land. My Mother also survived the cruel Japanese Imperial Occupation and the country’s political cold-war turmoil afterwards. My father together with a handful of former Dutch military veterans and a mix of other European civilians, who also chose to stay on the Islands, were forced to wage bitter armed guerilla warfare against Indonesian political factions and groups of independent insurgents. They recruited hundreds of men, mainly native Indonesians, who also believed strongly in democratic principles, armed and trained them in warfare skills; then led them in combat. Most of these Indonesians had grown up together with the Dutch and mixed blooded Indos, befriending each other, living in harmony throughout their lives, and saw each other as fellow citizens. Although many indigenous Indonesians supported their cause, the fight for government control after many years became a harsh struggle for sheer survival for the out-numbered foreigners and their native fighting forces. Without critical European aid, their struggle for a peaceful existence began to come unraveled. Their visionary cause to establish a democratic society eroded to bare threads and atrophied all together. Those that hadn't been either killed, captured or escaped the country, withered in the unforgiving frontier of the island's mountainous jungle wilderness. Alas, the day came when my father was captured after being in hiding in the vast remote hinterland, sentenced to prison and left to languish under much of the same cruelty as he endured during WWII times. Many Dutch prisoners never made it out of that captivity succumbing to the brutal torture of the government political apparatus much like the Soviet communist pogroms. They were tortured in a myriad of ways, including beatings and starvation. Fearing fatal repercussions and retaliation simply for being Dutch citizens, the rest of the family was allowed to leave the country with assistance of political pressure from the international community. My parent's survival story of WWII Japanese Occupation and the Cold War years is being written in a future novel titled, SURVIVORS OF THE STORM. My father's personal fateful story is included in the novel. (Please visit www.theindoproject.org, an organization dedicated to preserve the history and culture of those of Indo heritage) I was but three years of age leaving the Islands relocating to the Netherlands, while never knowing my father. Not until I was five years old, when he was freed and rejoined the family in Holland, did I come to know him for the first time. I immigrated with the family at age eight to America; way too late to my chagrin to take part in trekking the western wilderness as did pioneers with covered wagon as my ardent youthful figment and image of America was at that time. Instead our journey west was per the old Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. We wholeheartedly embraced America's unique culture and customs, striving longingly to assert ourselves in her bosom as fellow citizens. My parents immediately recognized and experienced the purposeful meaning of independent freedom unequaled anywhere else. This great nation's ambitious spirit motivated us all to seek and find our personal aspiration for life in a land of unlimited opportunity. We had found our true home. I have a military background as a Combat Controller and Security & Weapons Defense Specialist. In addition, a career of mission assignments as a government Weapons/Warfare Field Officer in different parts of the world training and advising foreign military forces in weapons efficiency, counterterrorist methods and physically led teams in the field against armed insurgency elements. After many years relieving most of the wild oats and youthful indiscretions within my military gene-induced character makeup, I finally packed it in and strove to become more domesticated in civilian life. One cannot live and perform forever in the fast track of combat operations. After what seemed a lifetime, my work career has since been in Industrial Engineering. However, former habits and love for adventure never leave my mind, nor my ingrained propensity for the wilder side of life. My memories are forever caught up with gut-wrenching mental images of combat, having worked and fought side by side with some of the best mates anyone could wish for. I still smile with a bright twinkle in my eyes for the honor to have served especially with like-minded men of tremendous skills and gallantry. As any human being, I am the product of the times we live in and life's experiences. I fully concur with the old adage, "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy." I am a strong believer that the written word lives on when documented and passed on to further generations as a legacy and worthwhile lessons. It is one of the reasons I have begun to write relating my wild and wooly experiences. The other reasons are purely selfish in my regard for where a portion of my heart will always be. It has after all, been a huge part of my lifespan. I am one of those people who have on numerous occasions through the years, had the yearning to pen personal experiences via fictional stories, but persisted to sidestep the endeavor by lack of determination. Having dedicated much of my life struggling against being permanently domesticated through social lobotomy methodology, I was finally motivated enough to try my hand at writing; an internal desire, which I readily found a robust passion for once I truly got serious. Now I am hooked. It has rekindled my excitement for combat action, yet limited now to just graphic memories as my mind takes me back to those tempestuous years not long ago with fondness at having stood shoulder to shoulder with men of courageous character tossed into hot cauldrons of warfare circumstances striking thunderous fear into the enemy. Writing has been a challenging learning experience, which draws me endlessly as if mystic sirens calling me with their hypnotic tone. My first full-featured fictional action-adventure novel about combating modern piracy near the Horn of Africa, TURBULENT WATERS, is published and available at www.outskirtspress.com/turbulentwaters/ Don't forget to write a review after reading it. Thank you all! A five eBook series, THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES are in full-swing. Book 1, GAME ON! can be purchased currently on Amazon eBook website and on Smashwords.com. USE THIS LINK TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE BOOK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AML7TVU GAME ON! can be purchased on Smashwords.com for the same low price of $3.99. (Find the direct link to the book at the bottom of my BIO Page) Book 2, COMBAT BECKONS, will be available at eBook website stores in the 1st Quarter, 2014. These are all based on true combat field accounts; quite exciting and politically controversial as many clandestine operations are. I have almost completed writing the first two of a four-book 18th Century seafaring fictional action-adventure novel series, WINDS OF FURY and SEAS OF DREAD as part of THE HEINRICH DROOP ANTHOLOGY series based on a German ancestor turned pirate on my father's side. I call this anthology my signature series as they have spawned in me a reminiscent lust for adventure, despite safely entrenched within the confines of my home. The stories are none-stop swashbuckling antagonistic action. I hope to publish the first novel in the 3rd quarter of 2013. I will keep all of you informed as the publishing schedule firms up. Between writing on a regular basis, you will usually find me busy reading, researching, visiting with family and friends, trap and metallic target shooting, biking, playing hoops, tennis, travelling, singing karaoke, attempting to learn the acoustic guitar, but my most distinguishable personality quality and affinity is to be an obnoxious prankster - for better or worse. So far my shenanigans hasn't shortened my life. Stay in touch by visiting my Author website - www.peterduysings.com, as new material is posted and the website grows and evolves constantly to be more interactive with you important folks, who are as much my motivation to write as my passion for it. Also frequent my Author Facebook site for updated information, current news articles, personal perspective, and an avenue to communicate directly to me: www.peterduysings@facebook.com Happy reading to all of you.

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    Book preview

    GAME ON! THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES Book 1 - Peter Duysings

    GAME ON!

    THE NICARAGUAN WAR CHRONICLES

    BOOK 1

    By PETER DUYSINGS

    Copyright

    GAME ON! Copyright © 2012 by Peter R. Duysings

    Smashwords Edition

    All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

    This is a work of fiction based on actual accounts. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

    Cover Photograph: Peter Duysings (All rights reserved)

    Visit Smashwords author profile: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/prduysings

    Visit author website: www.peterduysings.com

    Please address the author at: prduysings@gmail.com

    ISBN: 978-0-9887565-0-2

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    BOOK DEDICATION

    BRAVO TEAM PROFILE

    PROLOGUE

    CHAPTER 1 – ARRIVAL

    CHAPTER 2 – CAMP ROMEO MISSION

    CHAPTER 3 – ROLE REVERSAL

    THE STORY CONTINUES

    AUTHOR’S PROFILE

    DEDICATION

    In loving and respectful memory of David Rawlings; a most remarkable combat warrior.

    This chronicle is dedicated to David Rawlings; soldier extraordinaire and dear friend, who is missed by all those who knew and loved him. As a Green Beret Special Forces combat operator working for MACV-SOG, Army Captain David Rawlings pulled more than his own weight through three tours in the Vietnam War. His leadership skills were second to none and his courage spurred on his comrades against unfavorable odds on numerous occasions; earning him not only the respect of his colleagues, but also a chest-full of medals.

    His devotion to America and its Constitutional ideals were only surpassed by his love for his wife and children. Dave was a man of action; he did not sit on the sidelines. When he involved himself in a cause, Dave was a committed participant and led the way. In the field of combat he was a pillar of strength to his comrades. Dave had the remarkable ability to encourage others to follow him into harm’s way, instilling confidence that the mission would be an overwhelming success.

    I have no doubt he is gathered around a campfire with other legendary warriors of Valhalla waiting to hear the call to arms.

    Dave, I was one of the fortunate ones to know and respect you for the human being and soldier you were. I salute you, David Rawlings.

    BRAVO TEAM PROFILES

    David ‘Dave’ Randall – Former Army Green Beret

    Team Leader, Rifleman, Weapons Specialist, Demolition

    William ‘Bill’ Billings – Former Army Ranger

    Rifleman, Weapons Specialist

    James ‘Mit’ Mitchell – Former Marine Force Recon

    Asst. Team Leader, Rifleman, Demolition, Diver

    Samuel ‘Samo’ Chen – Former Army Green Beret

    Rifleman, Tracker, Pointman

    Joe ‘JD’ Delma – Former Army Sniper

    Rifleman, Sniper, Weapons Specialist

    Robert ‘Rob’ van Duis – Former Air Force Combat Controller

    Rifleman, Tracker, Weapons Specialist, Air Support, Pointman

    Tony ‘Tiger’ Garcia – Former Army Ranger

    Rifleman, Demolition, Heavy Weapons

    Bruce ‘Brute’ Barlow – Former Army Green Beret

    Rifleman, Heavy Weapons

    Hector Martinez – Former Army Ranger and Green Beret

    Rifleman, Tracker, Pointman

    Jack ‘Jock’ Perkins – Former Army Ranger

    Rifleman, Sniper, Medic

    Jeffrey Sanders – Former Marine Force Recon

    Rifleman, Diver, Medic

    Gordon ‘Gordo’ Taft – Former Army Green Beret

    Rifleman, Demolition, Heavy Weapons

    PROLOGUE

    The United States of America has not won a war since WWII. Since that worldwide catastrophe, the U.S. has fought four non-declared wars; three years in Korea, fourteen years in Vietnam, more than eight years in Iraq, and going on eleven years in Afghanistan. Furthermore, numerous engagements have been ordered by Presidents as the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. armed forces; Operation Urgent Freedom – Grenada (1983), Operation Just Cause – Panama (1989), Operation Desert Storm – Iraq (1991), and operations in Bosnia (1990s).

    Historical records briefly mention other operations because they were insignificant within the scope of world affairs at the time they occurred. There exists no public record of some clandestine actions. Primarily for protecting U.S. government agencies as well as political careers, many of these military engagements were covert. They were and still are denied they ever happened.

    To some men who bear the physical and emotional scars of those hush-hush missions, bitter memories are etched deep within their conscience. For some, not a day goes by without remembering the heat of battle. Invariably, a former soldier throws caution to the winds and tells his incredulous story. The hope of easing his anguish far outweighs facing possible censorship and public ridicule. He fears those who question his motive for bringing up something so controversial after many years of silent suffering. Only then do events come forth.

    Such a campaign took place in Central America during the late 1970s – the Nicaraguan Defense Mission. It is just one of many clandestine operations unmentioned in the annals of history. The people involved were patriotic Americans willing to protect their beloved country against the threat of Communist aggression close to freedom’s boundaries. They were ordinary men from different walks of life, from different socioeconomic levels, with different aspirations, but with one common thread; they had formerly served in the U.S. military. Most were members of elite forces.

    They didn’t fight the enemy for sordid gain; rather these warriors fought for the good of many. They perceived it as a noble fight to squash socialists in a country not far from their nation’s border. To them it was answering a call to duty; they unselfishly volunteered not knowing what lay before them. They hoped their small part would be enough to make a big difference.

    This is one man’s story who served on the Nicaraguan Defense Mission.

    CHAPTER ONE

    ARRIVAL

    Christmas 1977 was only two weeks away and here I was on my way to Managua, Nicaragua. A commercial flight took me from Sacramento, California to San Diego, where I rendezvoused with my teammates and boarded another jet to Mexico City. For the next hop we changed to a chartered flight that took us to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I had never been to Mexico City or Tegucigalpa, but I didn’t expect to be treated as a tourist; my teammates and I were escorted directly from one aircraft to the next. One more plane change awaited us before our final destination. Besides the hassle of changing aircraft, the journey, so far, was uneventful.

    The hours spent on the planes gave me ample time to reflect on the events to come. My emotions sagged at the thought of not being with my family for Christmas while at the same time my nerves tingled with anticipation of the mission ahead. I wanted so badly to spend the holidays at home with loved ones. Knowing that I would be on an extended stay in a foreign country filled me with the loneliness I was sure to encounter many times over the coming months. The fact I was on my way to a combat assignment added to the uncertainty of whether I would ever see my family again, which served to further unsettle my nerves. I cursed the bureaucrat that decided my unit’s schedule; some unknown power at the Agency, safely residing in the U.S. capitol, while I, Robert ‘Rob’ van Duis, was the cannon fodder assigned to fight the insurgents that had the Nicaraguan government in a tizzy.

    You’re gonna feel right at home in-country, I commented to Hector Martinez sitting next to me, who lived in Florida. He was ex-Army.

    Yeah, maybe, except for the heat, remarked Hector with a smirk – meaning the firefights.

    Suppose all of us will have to slap on extra sunscreen.

    Won’t stop a bullet.

    Thought you Green Beanies were bulletproof.

    What? I was planning to stay behind you. That’s my defense.

    Hell, I was planning to take cover behind Dave. I guess we’re both screwed.

    Dave Randall, our Team Leader, sitting across the narrow aisle remarked, You’re both on point. He had done three tours for MACV-SOG – Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observation Group, the department that handled Special Forces. After Nam, he had served six more years as a Major in the Green Berets after which he resigned his commission; sick of the political bullshit that plagued the military. It was through his Special Forces connections that our team landed the assignment in Nicaragua.

    With your faces, the rebels will be laughing themselves to death, deadpanned James ‘Mit’ Mitchell, a former Marine Force Recon operative and second in charge.

    I grinned at Mit and replied, I can’t help the face I was born with. At least I have the decency not to talk about your many faults.

    Can’t remember having any faults.

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