by W. R. Benton
“I would like to stay, unless you need me, sir.”
“Stay; at some point they may have need of your many years of experience. Radioman, have the first helicopter seen to fly a slow 360 degree course around us and count bodies.”
“I will inform them, sir.” The radioman was wiping blood from the radio gear, blood left by the prior user.
Abruptly there sounded four gunshots, screams of pain, followed by a loud explosion. Every man there went to ground, as someone yelled for a medic in Russian.
Chapter 5
I heard our safeties all click to the off position and we were ready to 'Rock and Roll' if needed. Dolly gave a low warning growl. That confirmed to me it was the enemy. One of the last things done before we'd settled in for the night was planting a Russian mine, an OZM-72, which worked like a Bouncing Betty mine. It would bounce up and explode at about 3 or 4 feet, usually with excellent kill potential. The trip wire ran across the trail and it was about 6 inches high. Around the mine were a couple of toe-poppers, and an anti-personnel mine, courtesy of the Russian army, in the event they spotted the trip wire and got nosy.
I then, with the help of my NVGs, spotted the main body of men, and they were not walking on the trail but about three feet from it. The leader of this group of Russians was smarter than most leaders, and on this day he kept them all alive. As long as they didn't bother us, we'd not bother them, because what I carried was much more important than a fight with the Russians. I saw they were wearing NVGs too, but unless we moved, it was unlikely we'd be seen. They continued walking and were soon out of view.
I felt an elbow in my side from Carol and saw the Russian drag man walk right by us.
We were lucky on this trip because we had a modified Russian radio. Of course the frequencies were changed to allow us to speak to Headquarters or any other partisan units with radios. Near dawn, I could hear a big battle taking place north of us on the radio and it sounded like a real ball buster of a fight. Then just minutes later, as the sun started up, the partisans involved in the fight broke down into squad size units and then vanished.
I knew the Russians had dogs usually, and they'd soon get on the trail of a unit and stay on it, unless the partisans pulled an ambush, which was hard to do against a dog. Eventually, the dog would have to be killed. I could kill an enemy in a second and give it no further thought, but the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life was to shoot a dog, which I had to do in my old barn.i
As the sun broke over the distant hills, we began to eat and move to the trees to take care of business. Less than 30 minutes later, our mines and traps recovered, we were back on the trail. I could hear aircraft flying high overhead, but they posed no direct threat to us.
Then a Russian transport plane flew over considerably lower than other flights, and I watched 10 men exit the aircraft. From what I could tell, they would land about 90 degrees from us in a field that I knew was there. Surely they can't know I have the key or code, so why all the attention now? While it may be a coincidence, I'm beginning to wonder. How would they know where I am? I thought as I met Mary's eyes.
“If we can get to the safe house,” I whispered to her, “we can check everyone for a locator device and if found, they'll be shot.”
“That's if we live long enough to get to the house. I'm beginning to feel a bit trapped.”
I pulled my troops in close and said, “I suspect one of us is carrying a bug. Now, if you have it, I want it now. If you give it to me, you'll be able to leave alive. If I have to search you and find one, you'll face a firing squad. So, which will it be?”
After a few minutes, Private John Stevens said, “It's me. The Russians have my family and the last time we were in Edwards, I spoke with one of their Captains. I was told if I did not cooperate, he'd return and kill both of them. Don't you see, I had to do this to save my parents.”
“Drop all your weapons and gear, all of it. And, hand me the bug.”
He handed the thing to me, and it was no bigger than a dime. I placed it on a rock and struck it hard with another rock. It broke into small pieces as I struck it again and again. I then scooped the pieces up and threw them into the wind.
“You know by rights I should kill you, right?”
“Colonel, I was just trying to keep my family alive.”
“Sure you were, but what would our cost be in partisan lives to keep two people alive? How do you know your parents are still above ground? The Russians will use whatever they can to get others to do what they wish, including lying.”
“I want your pistol, too.” Mary said bluntly, and held her hand out.
“What? You mean I'm to leave unarmed, dressed as a partisan, and with no place to go?”
I pulled my big knife and said, “Give your pistol to her and then leave. We've lost our trust in you, Stevens. Maybe you'll do better as a civilian than a partisan. Now scat.”
“This is so wrong. How long do you think I'll live dressed like this?” He handed his pistol over.
“I can kill you, if that's what you want, and not miss a second of sleep tonight. I suggest you move north-east and try to avoid the paratroopers we just saw. I don't think they'll consider you a friend now.” I intentionally let the sun sparkle off the sharp cutting edge.
When he turned and walked away, totally unarmed, I realized I was probably sending him to his death, but I could not feel sorry for the man. Everyone knew the rules and our laws. Just because the Russians had his family was not an okay to compromise our security. He was actually the only person I'd ever let go for being a traitor. I let him go mainly because of the paratroopers I saw and the fact I think the Russians will kill him for us. I couldn't afford a gunshot, so I felt this was best. Besides, he knew little as a Private and didn't even know where we were headed.
We hurried down the trail and we'd covered about a quarter of a mile, when I heard three or four sub-machine-guns open up. I suspected then Stevens was no longer a problem. It's very likely the only Russian who knew he was a plant was the Captain who gave him the device. I thought, I hope Satan has a special place in hell for traitors.
We moved quickly, because I knew we were being followed. At different distances, I'd have mines placed and toe-poppers, but so far I'd not heard a single explosion. Aircraft were now in the air and I think destroying the bug alerted them. They'd move to our last known position and then work out from there. It worked well in search and rescue in the civilian world, but partisans were experts with camouflage, and today we'd really put it to the test. I spotted a trail that I knew led to a swamp from my map, and we changed course. The Russians didn't like swamps much, and more than one squad had to be rescued after a few days wandering around in the wet and gator infested waters.
Mary neared and asked, “Why the direction change?”
“I don't want to get any closer to the safe house with the possibility of having two groups of Russians on my butt. So, I figure to take these boys muddin' a spell.”
Mary took the radio and using code, since my mission was top secret, informed the General what was going on. He in turn, alerted some partisans and ordered them to come to our assistance. Some, from what I gathered, were close. In the meantime, we were to enter the swamp.
We moved through the water toward a trail Mary knew about that was almost 100 meters from our entry point. As we moved, gators raised their eyes to watch us, leaving their bodies underwater while water moccasins swam on the top of the water attempting to avoid us. I noticed the swimming snakes left small ripples in the water.
Once on the trail, I ordered mines placed at unusual locations and in one spot, when the trail forked, I had a large number of toe-poppers planted. Knowing we'd now have advanced warning if being followed, I had our speed increased. I glanced at the sun and knew it would be dark in a couple of hours.
“W . . .what kind . . . kind of snakes are here?” Carol asked and by her tone, she was terrified.
“Well, I've seen water moccasins and copperheads, b
ut there aren't as many here now as there once was.”
“Why's that?”
“Gators ate most of 'em.” I said, and then smiled.
I heard a couple of low snickers, but Carol said, “I'm scared to death, and here you are joking about nasty snakes. Just the thought makes me shiver, and you joke like an ass.”
Mary said, “Let's hope we don't have to spend the night here or you'll go insane. This place really comes alive at night.”
“She's serious and so am I when I say this, but the bugs start making noises, the frogs, and mating calls of different animals are heard. A swamp or jungle comes alive with darkness, and that's when most of the critters come alive.”
“Just great, but we're heading to a house?”
“Not a house as you know one, but an old structure built way back close to the Civil War, and it ain't much. Seems as the war was ending, a family of black folks fled their old master and ran in the swamp to avoid capture. Over the years, even after they knew they were free, they put up a home and lived there.
Oh, then one by one, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases killed them. The last time I was here was over three years ago. It has a roof and that's all I can say about it. I want the roof in case they fly over with infrared systems looking for us tonight.” Mary replied.
Carol grew quiet, but since I was behind her, I saw her head turning with each little splash of water or the slightest noise, and I suspected tonight would be a living hell for her. Most people have no idea of what a swamp sounds like after dark.
Less than a mile from dry land, we saw the remains of an old house, and it was on poles driven into the mud. It stood a good six feet above the water level and with a boost I sent Mary up to check the place out. Then, one at a time I lifted my troops until most were in the shack.
Finally, Brewer said, “Let me boost you up, sir. Then you can help us by pulling the rest of us in.”
The place consisted of a living room, kitchen and one bedroom. I saw old beer cans, discarded papers, and other junk from happier times on the floor. We'd left Corporal Hall on the ground to guard for a couple of hours. Blankets were spread, meals were eaten, and folks moved in close to talk in low voices.
Carol moved closer to me and said, “Oh, this is so frightening to me! All the snakes, bugs and gators.”
I tossed her a plastic bottle of Russian military issue insect repellent and said, “Rub this on all exposed flesh. The bugs aren't out yet, but they soon will be.”
She was all eyes as she scanned the inside of the shack and applied the repellent. I almost laughed, except I knew she was scared.
Finally, she asked, “Can I sit closer to you?”
“Sure, and I can put my arm around you, if you want.”
“I'm just scared is all.” She scooted over the floor to me.
I put my arm around her and felt her relax. Before long, we were both asleep.
I have no idea how long I'd been asleep, but I woke to distant gunfire. I raised and then lowered Carol's head to the floor. Standing and moving to the door, I listened and heard it again. I'd guess the shots were less than a mile away.
I woke my people, all of them, and said, “Alford and I will move down the trail and see if we can see what's going on. We have NVGs, so we'll be safe enough in the darkness. Just need a quick look, see who came out on top, and then return here. While we're gone, see if you can reach anyone on the radio to see if this was one of the teams trying to link with us.”
“I'll have Sara try to get Headquarters. No matter who it was, they either won or lost the fight, because it's grown quiet now.”
I dropped my pack to Alford, lowered myself by hanging onto the edge of the floor and dropped to the ground. I landed standing and quickly donned my pack. I took point and pulled a sawed off 12 gauge shotgun from a pouch on my pack. I chambered a round and kept moving. In the distance I saw gators eating, walking on banks, and floating like logs. Snakes were much closer, and some were actually on the bank near the trail. We were almost to the clearing when I spotted movement and dropped to one knee. I saw a group of men moving toward me slowly.
I felt Alford tap me on the shoulder and when I looked back, he pointed down by my side. A water moccasin was laying beside my leg, almost touching it. I reached down with my right hand slowly, grabbed its tail and with a flip of my wrist threw him away from me. As the snake hit the water, I felt a shiver go through my spine, but quickly turned my attention back to the men approaching us.
I was unable to see who they were but they kept walking toward me as if they couldn't see me. I knew with my camouflage clothing and face paint, they saw nothing. I then saw a man with a dog and that was all the identification I needed. I leaned back and whispered, “Take the dog out and then the handler.”
His rifle came up, I heard him take a deep breath, and then a second later heard the thunk of his silencer. Twice the rifle sounded and twice a target dropped. I then mined the path we were on and moved back toward the house, laying mines and toe-poppers off and on.
When we got there, Mary said, “Headquarters doesn't think they have a unit near us, but it's possible it's a group without a radio.”
“Let Headquarters know it was a dog team. We put the animal and the handler down. They still may come after us, but if so, we'll hear them coming.”
Right then I heard a 12 gauge shotgun shell go off and knew at least one man was down for the day. Five or so seconds later, I heard two more explosions. Now, at the least the men had a hole through a foot; at the most, they could have been killed by the shell. Most are seriously wounded, so I knew they would bring in a medical chopper in the morning to airlift the wounded out.
The remainder of the night was quiet and an hour before dawn I moved down the trail with my people. I carried a Russian made Strela 2, which are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, easily capable of downing a chopper or even a jet. I was hoping to down a chopper. We arrived while it was still dark and moved in close to the Russians. Minutes later a false dawn arrived and I suspected my troops were getting antsy waiting.
The normal morning haze was missing on the water and in less than 30 minutes, I heard the familiar whop-whop of chopper blades. If I could shoot this baby down, it'd sure make my day complete.
I watched as the chopper grew nearer. I brought the tail section into the cross hairs on the viewfinder and waited for the loading of the wounded, so I'd kill more than a just helicopter crew. I watched as three stretchers were loaded and then a body bag. The chopper was right on the trail, with the right skid actually touching when I squeezed the trigger.
Chapter 6
When the Russian unit began to move, the Company Commander relocated them to a spot that would be easier to defend, established it as a staging point, and then sent them out in squad sizes to look for partisans. Each was equipped with a radio and plenty of ammo. He then had another company sized unit flown out to provide security for the supplies and gear that would eventually start arriving.
It was was mid-morning before Colonel Matveev received a report from his special parachute unit, that responded to infrared images picked up by a helicopter that day. The team had accounted for one dead American, and he was unarmed. Understandably the Special Unit Commander and Matveev were angry, but for the report by another unit that had ambushed a squad of Americans killing all of them; while it read great, it went on to say they'd come under sniper fire and lost the dog and the handler. Then, as they attempted to follow some footprints in the dirt, they exploded some booby traps, resulting in the injury of three others, with one critical. Over all, Matveev was pleased to have lost only one man and was able to claim a body count of 11.
Miles away, waiting for a helicopter, Senior Sergeant Pajari tightened the tourniquet on the Lieutenant's right arm and gave him a shot of morphine. He and two others were wounded from a toe-popper and mine. The young officer had been standing beside Junior Sergeant Georgiy when a toe-popper when off, striking both of them. Most of th
e blast had struck the Sergeant, but while moving during the blast, the Lieutenant detonated another toe-popper. The officer had sustained injury to his right arm and right foot. For Junior Lieutenant Mantorov Yanovich, his war was over.
Junior Sergeant Rykvov Georgiy, had taken the blast of a 12 gauge shell to his groin, which completely destroyed one testicle and tore up the other. He retained his penis, but there were a few holes in it as well. The buckshot then traveled into his lower stomach. From his belly button down to mid-thigh, he was wrapped in gauze. His right foot was mangled by the mine, and the Senior Sergeant didn't think the doctors could save it, so he'd walk with a limp the rest of his life, if he lived. Pajari placed the Junior Sergeant's head on his pack to keep him from the dirt, and fed him a little water, even though he knew not to give water to a stomach injury.
Then he moved to Private First Class Traktirnikov Ilyich and found him unconscious, but breathing easier than he had been earlier. He had been struck with ricocheting buckshot and took three to the lungs. The injury had been sealed, using plastic from a pack of cigarettes, front and back, and he was breathing better now.
Private Shmakov Antonovich, the radioman, said, “Helicopter will arrive in about five minutes. The pilot has requested smoke so he can see the winds.”
The Senior Sergeant said, “Private Isaak, when I tell you, pull the pin on a smoke grenade and then drop it to the ground.”
The Private moved away from the others and pulled a smoke grenade from a pouch on his belt. He then removed the tape holding the spoon down, placed a finger in the ring, and stood ready.
Thank God the normal fog and haze are missing from the swamp today or it would be hours before we would get these men to a hospital, Pajari thought as he looked to the skies for the aircraft.
“The pilot has us in sight and wants smoke now!” the radioman said.
“Isaak, ignite the smoke grenade, now.”
The pin was pulled and the grenade tossed to the ground. Orange smoke began to spew from the metal container.