by W. R. Benton
Private Green decoded the message and handed it to John.
“Colonel, it looks like we're attacking the Russian air bases, all of them, tonight. I suspect that will be hard on a number of partisans. Many will die, sir.”
“Our leaders want to force the Russians out of America by increasing their losses each month. Eventually public opinion will force the Russian Bear to leave, or so our intelligence guys and gals tell us, if we just make each day costly for them. Right now we are averaging a hundred dead and maimed Russians a day.”
“So, win or lose tonight, we have won a political battle?” Green asked.
“More or less, yes. I don't know if you are old enough to remember our war in Vietnam. While the United States won the war we lost the American people and media, so we lost the war. Once the media and people turn against something, that something goes down hill from there. While we had won the war right at the end of Tet 1968, the media assumed we'd lost and they kept throwing out the number of dead we had following the battle, and the fact a US embassy was overrun for a few hours. The American public grew angry and bitter. The North Vietnamese Army said later if we'd only have pushed them a bit more, they would have collapsed and surrendered. But due to protesters, politicians against the war, and the news media, we chalked the battle up as a loss.”
“But the Russians don't have the freedoms we do.”
“No, they don't, but no one will allow their kids to be butchered year after year with no end in sight. While it's illegal to protest there, the police and military allow it because they both need the public's support. Now, if a protest turns into a riot, the military and police will strike back and often with deadly force, too. They will not put up with destroying private property or attacking others with different beliefs. Peaceful protests are actually supported.”
“I see, and our orders are to not enter the battle, but assist hurt and sick partisans that will withdraw from the battlefield. If we see no Americans, then we are to harass the enemy to the best of our abilities until relieved.” Green said after reading the decoded message.
“That is correct. Wake Msgt. Dias and have her get everyone up and ready to move. I want to be moving within the hour.”
“Okay, sir. I had better eat something this morning too, because I think once the attack hits, we'll be busy.”
“Probably.” John replied.
After Dias was awake and finished her morning toilet, John told her their orders and she took it all well.
“I want the troops up, awake, and moving within the hour. I realize it's early evening and many just went to bed, but we have marching orders.”
“Okay, I'll get 'em up, but they'll not be happy about it at all.”
“They'll get over it. Now, wake them and get ready to leave. We will leave in —” he said, then looked at his watch and continued, “45 minutes. Get them up and moving.”
Soon the camp was up and busy with the normal amount of throat clearing, sneezes, coughs and cursing of any military unit. Forty five minutes later, they were moving down a narrow path and all wore NVGs. Brown, the point man, was scared and he had a right to be. If he missed one booby-trap he would never see home again or find a woman. His remains would likely be left where he fell.
As he moved he thought, What is that on the trail? Oh, a piece of grapevine and not a tripping line. Why is the ground a different color here instead of like the other ground? I need to stop and test it with my knife blade. Oh, God, it is a pit with stakes in it! I need to mark this, to keep others safe. He then marked it, stepped over the trap and felt the edge of his boot contact something and then it pushed it to the side. There came the sound of a shotgun shell going off and the blast just missed Brown. He knew he'd stepped on a toe popper, but his movement must have pushed the shell to the side slightly. He was unhurt.
John ran forward, saw the marked trap and Brown was standing there looking sheepish.
“Are you injured, Larry?”
“No, but look at this thing.”
Using caution, John made his way to the man and there in the soil was a 12 gauge shotgun shell laying on its side.
“Looks to me like you didn't step on it 100%, not flat anyway, but just enough to push it down and off to the side. Of course your body weight was enough to cause the shell to detonate. You are one very lucky man. I'll go back and send Carrier to take your position. I want you to then move to the center of the group and walk there. One saving by God a day is all any person needs.”
“I'm okay, but thank you, sir.”
“Not a problem. Wait right here for Carrier.”
“I'll be here.”
John returned, sent Carrier forward and waited for Larry to return. Once the private was back in the group they started moving again. Some were complaining about their backpacks and the weight they carried. Many carried mines, ammo, and even a M-60 machine gun with 500 rounds. Finally, after carrying about 70 pounds day after day, their packs seemed to double in weight. John fully understood the complaints, because he was years older than most of his troops. However, once in a firefight, you could only fight with what you had on hand. It was then that everything backpacked in was worth its weight in gold.
Hours later, near 2100 hours, John heard a noise beside the trail and he slipped the safety off his Bison. He pulled his weapon to the ready and said, “Come out and now! Come.” He then slipped his weapon off safety.
A minute later, two men parted the bushes and stood in front of John. Both were in torn and dirty Russian uniforms and they looked terrified.
“Da.” The taller of the two replied. The man was about six feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes and a thin frame. He looked intelligent, where the man beside him looked as if John was going to kill and eat him. The man was thin also, brown hair, green eyes, about five feet and five inches. He was shaking, and obviously he was facing their enemy and he'd heard horrible rumors about how partisans killed their prisoners.
“Brown, Green and Lee, come to me.” John said in a loud voice.
When the three men arrived, the Colonel said, “Secure these two and get Sergeant Hanish to talk with them. They are not to be harmed, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sure.”
“They're safe with me.” Brown said.
“Go and do it now, we have some distance to cover. Tell Hanish he'll have to wait until we stop for the day before he can interrogate them. Corporal Brown, I'll hold you responsible if these prisoners are hurt or killed. They are to be protected and treated with respect.”
“Why me, sir?”
“You, as a Corporal, have rank over the others.”
Lowering his head, Brown said in a weak voice, “Yes sir.”
Less than a mile later, knowing he needed to stop for the night, John said, “Never mind my previous orders, move the two prisoners over by that big cedar tree and we'll spend the night here. I see a small stream about a hundred feet from here, Smyth, go check it out.”
After Smyth returned to the group, he said, “All clear, Colonel.”
John said, “Okay, we'll spend the night here. Those of you not on guard right now can catch up on your sleep. I suggest you eat before sleeping, but it's your choice. We will leave here two hours before dawn in the morning.”
Moving to Hanish, John asked, “How good is your Russian?”
“I attended college there and was working in a government job selecting quality imports for the United States. I can carry on a conversation, but I'm not fluent. Why?”
“I need for you to talk to the two Russian prisoners we have.”
“Oh, I can do that for sure, sir. When?”
“What about right now?”
“I can do that,” Hanish said laughing, “because I follow orders. No, seriously, I can do it now, which is as good as any other time.”
“Then come with me.” John said and they walked toward the two captives.
“First ask them their names and why they are out here alone.”
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Hanish spoke and then got an instant reply, which he said, “The taller one is Private Gavrila and the other is Ivakin Vodavochov. They are both Privates. My guess is they expect to be executed, because we have a hard reputation. I have told them they will be treated kindly, as long as they answer my questions.”
“Good, let's use their fear of us to our advantage. Ask them why were they in the field and how come they are the only ones we found.”
A minute later, Hanish said, “There were with a squad and they were out looking for Americans getting ready to attack their base. When they went to pee, the unit moved on without them. Both are lost in the woods and they feared starving to death.”
“Tell them they will be taken excellent care of and they will soon be taken back to the base and placed in a jail cell. Tell them their war is over. Give both of them a ration to eat and a canteen of water.”
Once again John waited and then Hanish said, “The tall one asked if we will kill them. I told him no, not as long as he obeyed orders. The other one is scared of jail and asks if he can be let free. He promises he will never shoot at Americans again in his life.”
“Tell them both they will go to jail and neither of them will be freed. I need to make a call on the radio, but get friendly with them and try to learn some military information if you can.”
“Yes, sir. They already trust me because I speak Russian.”
“Good, you stay friends with them.” John said and then walked away.
Near Green he said, “Gene, hand me the handset.”
“Yes, sir.” Private Green said and handed the handset to the colonel.
“Copperhead, this is Cobra Two, over.”
“Go Cobra.”
“I have captured two Russian privates, so do you want to send a chopper for them or do I keep them with me? Over.”
“Wait one, let me talk to Copperhead Actual, over.”
“Roger, I'll wait, over.”
Five minutes later headquarters said, “Get them ready for a chopper ride back to the base. We will be in a ball game this evening, so they need to be locked up. The boss is concerned they may make a break for freedom if left with you. ETA on the bird is one hour from now, over.”
“Smart man to pick them up.” Green said.
“Yep, if this place gets to hopping this evening, they could easily escape in all the action going on around them.” John said.
“Understand. Cobra Two, out.”
Less than five minutes later the radio turned live again with, “Cobra, this is Copperhead Actual, over.”
John still held the handset so he replied, “Go Copperhead, this is Cobra Two.”
“I just had a change in plans and we can take your prisoners in fifteen minutes.”
“The sooner the better, and fifteen minutes is ideal. I just don't want to lose them because it's rare for me to capture one, much less two. Have the chopper contact me five mikes out, over.”
“Copy, five mikes out. Copperhead, over and out.”
“Hanish, get the two prisoners ready to take a chopper ride. Let them know they are leaving in about 12 minutes or so, and on a chopper.”
“Will do, sir.”
John stood with the handset in his hands waiting to hear from the chopper.
Ten minutes later, “Cobra Two, this is Coon Dog One, over.”
“This is Cobra, go Coon Dog.”
“I am five mikes from your position. In three I want to see a night flare that marks your position and keep me in an opening, not too close to the trees. I am approaching with my lights off. Over.”
“Don't you know night landings must be rough.” Hanish said.
“I've not given it any thought. Lee, pop a night flare and help me land this chopper.”
“Yes, sir.” Lee said and they pulled out a Mark 13 Mod O flare and ignited the flare end. The flare lit up the whole surrounding area.
“Cobra Two, I have your flare and man visual. ETA is less than two minutes. Get the POWs on, and fast. There are reports of many Russians in your RON area.”
“Roger, we'll load them quickly.” Then turning to SSgt Prings, he said, “I want you, Prings, to take Tom and Carrier to provide security for the chopper. If you see the aircraft take any ground fire, I want you to fire back. Scan the area constantly and hopefully with any shots you'll see the muzzle flash. Now, go.”
The chopper landed with all lights off, except a huge spotlight, and the prisoners were thrown on the aircraft. They were on the ground for less than two minutes. The chopper was rising when the tell tale sound of bullets hitting the bird were heard. The big light on the helicopter went off when the first bullet struck. Every gun in John's squad returned fire by simply shooting where the tracer rounds were coming from, as well as the flash from the weapons. The hostile firing on the aircraft stopped and so did John's return fire.
“Cobra Two, thank you for watching my six. We are going through 2,000 feet and they can't see me now.”
“Copy, and have a good flight home, Coon Dog.”
“Roger that and remember, you call and we haul. Coon Dog, over and out.”
“Master Sergeant Dias, get everyone up and lets move about a mile south before we relax too much. I expect the Russians to come and see who they were exchanging bullets with as the chopper went up. Line 'em up and let's hurry.”
Their night at the new location was uneventful and as the sun came up, they were all walking down a narrow trail and each was wearing his NVGs. They had been walking for over two hours already. But, they'd not seen or heard anything.
“What is going on? The two prisoners stated a bunch of Russians were out looking around, but we've seen none.” Hanish asked the Colonel as they walked.
“Give some thought to camps off the trail that are campfire free. If they remain in cold camps, we may have passed a dozen squads just this morning.”
“Maybe, but I don't think so. I get a feeling when I'm close to Russians and I don't have that feeling right now.”
“Everyone stop, I hear an engine of some sort. Listen and be quiet, please.” John said and then cocked his head to the left.
“It's a prop driven airplane, look it's overhead now.”
Everyone was watching the aircraft as John said, “It's an Antonov An-22 "Antei" and they are the Russian's C-130, so to speak.”
“Look, men are jumping out the rear doors!” Msgt. Dias said as she flipped her Bison off safety.
“Spread out and shoot them, because everyone we miss will land on top of us. Fire at will.” the Colonel yelled as he fired and watched a Russian Paratrooper suddenly go limp.
Out of a hundred men dropped on them, less than fifteen made it to the ground safely for one reason or another. Most seemed to land in a huge field maybe a hundred yard from John and his people, so they quickly moved there and continued the fight.
Of the fifteen, less than five men made it to the trees on the other side of the clearing. There they took up defensive positions as the radio operator attempted to make contact with the base. Five minutes later, he finally noticed two bullet holes in the side of the radio, so he tossed it to the ground.
The leader of the group, a Captain Vasilyeva Nadka was in shock. She'd been in combat many times but it was her first combat jump and so far she didn't like it. Over 95 men were now dead or seriously injured and she was left with a small group of five counting her. The fear she had of being shot while still helpless in her parachute made her shiver.
Master Sergeant Robert Sergeyvich said, “We need to escape and evade until we meet another group of Russians, or we can hide and hope any battle that takes place is not fought here. Right now, I have the urge to join others and fight Americans.”
“What do you think, Captain?” a corporal asked.
“We . . . we do, uh . . . as the Master Sergeant said, we try to find other Russians troops to join. That is the only honorable thing to do. Now, let us ignore the Americans here and slip into the woods. Once there, I will pull out m
y map and determine where we need to go. Alright, everyone, let's move.”
Chapter 11
Senior Sergeant Vova was in his room cuddled up with Olga when he heard an explosion and it sounded very close.
“What was that?” Olga asked.
“Sounded like a grenade in this building, and we are to have visitors tonight. It may be Americans.”
He quickly dressed and grabbing his nylon combat vest and weapons, he said to Olga, “Stay in this room and if you hear footsteps, do not pick up a gun. Let them take you prisoner, because it beats death.” Then, he made his way from the room.
His NCO quarters were three levels, and the two highest grades slept on the top floor so they'd not have noise from people walking overhead and their walls were more or less soundproof because of the crazy hours they worked. He and Olga had just been outside, sharing a drink as they watched the sun go down. When they came in, they'd left the balcony door open or they wouldn't have heard the explosion. He now picked up the pop-pop-pop of small arms fire in the building. He cleared the third floor, then the second and knew someone was on the first floor. He'd avoided the elevator and stood outside the first floor in the stairs, and he was right beside the door.
Suddenly the door swung open and three American partisans moved toward the hall. Vova fired three rounds and saw them go down. Blood, now running toward the floor, was splattered over the walls. He moved to the dead men and took two grenades from each of them, as well as their sidearms and ammo. They were carrying Bison sub-machine guns, like he was, so he collected six more magazines and another weapon.
Opening the door, he peeked out and saw no one so he entered the stairs and went to the ground floor. The first three rooms were open and the occupants dead on the floor. As NCOs they were allowed to carry their weapons all the time, but few did. He looked them over, but knew none of them.
In the third room he discovered Senior Sergeant Vera Katenka laying on her back, her fatigue shirt off and her tee soaked in blood. Some of her blood had ran down her belly and legs to stain her white thong. She'd taken three rounds between her breasts. He noticed her eyes were still open and he moved to her and pushed her eyes closed. Her shoes were off, so she must have been relaxing when the soldiers burst into her room. She was a good soldier but she'd been caught unarmed, and all he saw as a weapon near her was a butcher's knife. The knife's whole long blade was covered with fresh blood, so she'd killed or injured one of them.