“If things are not going well, run back here and lead them past the three men remaining in concealment. Hopefully the surprise will be enough to turn the tables on them. Any other questions?”

  A third man asked, “I heard that you were in Sergeant Kivi’s previous class. How many men did you kill to make Sergeant so quickly?”

  The question caused Hale’s heart to freeze and his stomach to clench. He closed his eyes and thought about all the lives he had taken. Trying to keep the pain and guilt out of his voice, he asked neutrally, “What’s your name soldier?”

  “Pace.”

  “Well Pace, this is going to sound terrible, but I have no idea. I have had many occasions where I was fighting just to survive another second. In those moments, you don’t have time to consciously count the men you slay, only react and try to survive for another second.” Hale said.

  “Can you take a guess?” Pace asked.

  “Why is this so important for you to know?” Hale asked.

  “Because I want to know how many Russian swine I must kill to make Sergeant like you.” Pace replied.

  “I wish I could give you all of my kills, especially the memories of watching the light go out of so many men’s eyes along with these stripes on my collar. Killing another man doesn’t make you feel good, or more of a man. It just fills you up with guilt. Without the guilt, you would just be hollow inside. I think about the men I killed a lot.” Hale’s hand unconsciously dropped to the pocket inside his coat where he kept the pictures of the men he’s slain sweethearts. “When I close my eyes, I dream about them. I’m terrified of losing this feeling of guilt. On that day, all that would be left of me would be a hollowed out soulless man. I just hope and pray when this is all over, that there is enough of my soul left to rekindle in part who I was before this war. I pray that a day will come when I can forget what I have done here and know peace again.”

  Another Private started to open his mouth to ask a question when Hale raised his right hand up, palm extended as if he was a policeman stopping traffic and said, “Enough. We’ve got a job to do. Take your positions”

  Without waiting for a reply, Hale turned and strode off. As he walked, Pace’s question haunted his thoughts, How many men did you kill? A wave of guilt washed over him as he chastised himself, Why didn’t I keep track? I was forced to kill so many just to stay alive I don’t remember all of their faces.

  As he concealed himself between two fallen logs and started to wait for the patrol he thought, There have been many times when I used the PPD 34 that I killed without a thought or mercy. He closed his eyes and tried to remember back to those times. The emotions of those moments flooded into his mind, fear, desperation, and guilt. He focused on the guilt and tried to break it down. I felt bad for taking those lives, but also for putting myself at risk. I’m responsible for my sister, wife, and unborn child now. Why do I risk myself so recklessly? How have I managed to survive when so many other good men have fallen?

  Thinking about the comrades he had lost, Maki, Onni, Antti, and to his surprise Fyodor joined the group. I never trusted him while he was alive, but he saved Nea. Saved us all. Hale glanced up at the sky and whispered, “Fyodor. I hope you can hear me. Thank you for my life and the lives of my wife and unborn child.”

  Hale’s thoughts were interrupted as his ears registered the sound of men approaching. He pushed his thoughts away and placed some snow into his mouth to conceal his breath. He pulled his white hood over his head and raised the top up slightly from his brow to see if he could spot the patrol. His keen vision quickly located the Russians about a hundred meters south and slightly to his right. One of them laughed heartily at what must have been a joke, told by one of the others.

  Hale’s heart sank as he saw the four men walking together side by side. How am I supposed to kill four men without using a gun when they are clustered together like that?

  Hale continued to watch as they struggled through the deep snow heading towards the camp at Kivenappa. Steam clouds trailed behind them as their lungs labored from their efforts. One of the Russians turned to the others and said, “YA dolzhen posrat'.”

  Another Soviet, a Corporal based on the two red triangles on his collar lapel said, “Naverstat' upushchennoye, kogda zakonchish'”

  The first Russian to speak responded with, “Da.”

  He then separated from the first three and walked twenty meters in Hale’s direction, What is he doing? Hale wondered.

  Maintaining his concealment, Hale put more snow into his mouth, and drew his pukko blade as the Soviet continued to approach. The man suddenly stopped, turned away from Hale, dropped his pants, and squatted. Hale glanced back over at the other three men as they continued toward Kivenappa. I’ve got to kill this one quickly and quietly before those three reach the rest of my squad.

  Hale stood and started to creep toward the man relieving himself. As the young Sergeant drew near, he heard the man grunt with effort. The Russian suddenly stopped his exertions and listened. Hale stopped his own movement as the enemy soldier started to look around. Did he hear me?

  After a very long minute, the man resumed his efforts. Breathing a sigh of relief, Hale started to move forward again. As the man started to meet with some success at his task, Hale wrapped his left arm around the man’s chest and drew his blade across the soft skin of his throat with his right hand.

  The man cried out in pain and dropped a turd on Hale’s foot. Hale released his blade and covered the Russian’s mouth. A wave of nausea washed over him as the smell of the man’s blood mixed with the offensive odors from his recent efforts. As the man expired, Hale felt lightheaded and dizzy, How much longer is this going to keep happening every time my blood pressure rises? He thought.

  Feeling the man’s body go limp in his arms. Hale lowered him to the ground. He then kicked out into the air with his left foot to remove the man’s dying gift and threw a glance in the direction of the other three, They’ve nearly reached the rest of the squad.

  Looking down at the body he was about to search, he wiped his blade quickly on the man’s coat, slipped his pukko into its sheath, and thought, Sorry friend, you are going to have to wait until later.

  Hale stood up and began to move as rapidly as he could manage, while remaining relatively quiet toward the other three men. He saw movement to their left and right, as the two pickets he had set, maneuvered to position themselves behind the Russians. That’s an interesting move, are they planning on playing hammer and anvil with these guys? Hale thought.

  Suddenly, the three men that were using the slight contour in the land to conceal themselves rose up and tried to stab the Russians in the chest with their bayonets. Two out of three missed as the Soviets jumped back out of reach. The third Soviet cried out as Walden thrusted his bayonet into his chest.

  As the other two enemy soldiers hastily reached for the rifles slung on their shoulders, the two men who had followed them from behind, slit their throats, and kicked them in the back. This sent them sprawling in front of the three men who had attacked them face to face. The two Fins that had missed with their bayonets the first time, plunged their blades into the backs of the Russians as they bled out onto the snow.

  Hale came rushing up and said, “Great work men.”

  Four of Hale’s men, Yanis, Abbott, Rab, and Fane looked ecstatic. The fifth, Walden, looked sad. The four happy men celebrated together, as Walden turned his back on them, and leaned against a nearby tree. Hale watched the two very different reactions to his men’s first victory. Reaching a decision, he walked over to Walden.

  Placing a hand on the man’s shoulder Hale said, “How are you feeling?”

  Walden looked back hesitantly at his Sergeant and said, “Guilty.”

  “That’s a perfectly normal feeling to have. The first time I killed a man, I felt as if a piece of my soul died with him.” Hale said.

  “Why aren’t I happy like the others?” Walden said.

  “Because you have a greater connection with your soul and feel the sorrow from taking a life.” Hale said.

  “I guess the others are going to be better soldiers than me.” Walden said.

  Hale squeezed the man’s shoulders and said, “Nonsense. You are going to make a fine soldier because you value life and understand the finality you impose each time you pull the trigger.”

  The other four continued to celebrate as Cunnar and Ermel approached. Seeing Hale, the two men changed direction slightly and approached their Sergeant. Cunnar threw a glance at the four revelers and said, “Based on the behavior of those four, I’d say the enemy squad is no longer a threat.”

  Hale nodded in response, “If that’s the case, why do you two look like you are at your best friend’s funeral?” Ermel asked.

  Hale turned toward Ermel and said, “We were feeling the pain from the act of taking lives.”

  Ermel, not really understanding, but wise enough not to broach the topic said, “What are your orders?”

  Hale squeezed Walden’s arm reassuringly before squaring his shoulders and straightening his posture as he said, “Good work all. Search the bodies and take anything useful, especially bullets and grenades. Then let us return to the platoon and report on our success.”

  Without waiting for the other men to respond, Hale turned toward the location of the Platoon and started walking. As Hale walked, he tried to listen and count their footsteps, Did all of them follow me?

  After several minutes of walking through the snow-covered forest, Hale’s squad rejoined the rest of the Platoon. Seeing Pekka, Hale approached him and stiffened to attention. Stifling the urge to salute, he waited patiently until Lieutenant Pekka barked the word, “Report.”

  “Success. The other half of the squad has been slain.” Hale said.

  “I didn’t hear any gunshots, good work. Any casualties?” Pekka asked.

  “None.” Hale replied.

  “Excellent.” Pekka said, as he pulled back his sleeves and glanced at his watch, “The sun set about ten minutes ago, it will be dark in another ten. Let’s continue making for the hill.”

  After Hale’s men put their skis back on, the Platoon continued moving toward Hill 011. As before, Hale scouted ahead, and Leo covered the left flank of the Platoon. They continued marching toward their final destination, the Soviet Supply Depot at Kivenappa.

  Chapter 14

  Early Evening, Just South of the Kivenappa Supply Depot, Karelia Isthmus, Finland,

  December 21st, 1939

  A half an hour later, they reached the edge of the line of trees that surrounded Hill 011 on all sides. Pekka ordered the platoon to halt and standby. Turning to his three squad leaders, Pekka said, “Let’s go take a look at the hill.”

  The four men removed their skis and moved toward the hill until they reached the last line of trees. Remaining in concealment, they looked up the hill. The moon was rising behind the hill silhouetting the shape of two men that stood at the top, “That’s new.” Pekka said.

  “They must have learned a lesson from our last raid and decided to put some men up on the hill.” Hale said.

  “I can see two in the moonlight. Do you think there is more?” Sergeant Kivi asked.

  Pekka shrugged his shoulders and said, “No idea. For all we know, there could be an entire platoon up there sleeping and those two are the standing watch.”

  “We need to send a scout or two forward to find out more before we do anything else.” Sergeant Kivi suggested.

  “Yes, but I think we need to ensure there aren’t any of the enemy here in the trees with us.” Pekka turned to Hale and Leo and said, “Do you two think you can scout around the hill? I don’t want to sneak up there and slay those two, only to have who knows how many men hiding in the trees surrounding the hill raise the alarm.”

  Hale and Leo nodded, “Hale you don’t look convinced. Is this the wrong course of action?” Pekka asked.

  “No, I’m just worried that my head is going to act up at the worst possible moment and give me away.” Hale replied.

  “You seem fine, otherwise I wouldn’t have selected you for this mission. Did something happen while you were taking care of the patrol?” Pekka inquired.

  Hale nodded slowly, “The dizziness and nausea came back when I killed one of them.”

  “Was it as intense as it had been before?” Pekka asked.

  “No, but it was disturbing. What if I had lost my wits because of a dizzy spell?” Hale said.

  “You’re the best scout we have. I’m sure as time goes on, you’ll feel the effects of your injury lessen. The important thing is that during your last attack, you didn’t lose your balance.” Pekka put a hand on Hale’s left shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly, “You’re getting better. I bet by tomorrow the effects will completely fade away.”

  “I wish the wound would fade away by tomorrow.” Hale said as he gently rubbed his head, “This bandage itches like the devil.”

  Pekka chuckled, “Let’s get this hill secured and then I’ll order Koskinen to change it out.”

  “That would be good. I’d like that lad to get a little bit more practice with bandages before he has to treat gunshot wounds.” Sergeant Kivi said.

  “You’re not reassuring us that your medic is up to the task.” Leo said.

  Sergeant Kivi smiled, “He’ll do just fine. Nothing increases one’s skill faster than necessity.”

  “Let’s hope if he needs more practice, it’s you and not me that he gets to practice on.” Pekka said, then added, “We’ve pissed away enough time with chit chat, as long as the nights are this time of year, we shouldn’t waste it. Hale and Leo, carry out your orders.”

  Without a word, Hale started moving west just inside the tree line. Leo moved fifty meters to Hale’s left, deeper into the woods, and then kept pace with the young sniper as he slowly made his way west, then north around the hill. As Hale neared the westernmost point of his reconnaissance, he paused and looked up the cliff at the top of the hill. The last time I was up there in that spot, I killed men down here where I am standing. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

  He noted that there was one man visible. The man stood on the edge of the cliff and presumably gazed downward at the clearing between the base of the hill and the trees below. His head appeared as a dark shadow from Hale’s vantage point. The young Sergeant wasn’t exactly sure of the direction the Red Army soldier was looking until he exhaled, creating a large steam cloud.

  As Hale observed the man on top of the hill, Leo spotted another enemy soldier, standing about fifty meters away, in the direction of the camp. He was being silhouetted by the electrical lights of the camp. That must be the camp’s picket line. Leo thought to himself. He looked in Hale’s direction but was unable to spot his superior in the shadowy darkness of the forest.

  This close to the camp, Leo could discern the difference between the whine of the generators providing power, the rumbling of Gaz-MM engines idling, and the hum of forklifts as they loaded the trucks. They must be loading or unloading supplies right now. Wish I could get a closer look, but I’d best keep moving before I fall too far behind Hale. Leo thought.

  He cautiously started moving again. The middle-aged woodsman was careful not to make any sounds, as he slowly made his way through the endless rows of trees. While Leo was observing the picket, and listening to the sounds of the supply depot, standing just inside the tree line across from the cliff face of Hill 011 Hale continued to observe the man standing on top of the hill.

  After about ten minutes, the man stepped away from the cliff’s edge. A moment later Hale saw a flash of orange flame that disappeared a few seconds after it appeared, He just lit a cigarette, and made himself visible for miles around. Hale thought. What an idiot.

  Not expecting to learn anything further about the composition of the force on top of the hill from this vantage point, Hale resumed circling around the hill. As he drew parallel to the north side of the hill, he thought he heard the sound of movement, to his left. He stopped and squatted down, to reduce his profile and then listened.

  Several long minutes passed, and he heard nothing but the breeze upon the frozen branches above. Finally, after nearly ten minutes of listening, he heard the sound of a boot crunching a piece of ice. The sound had moved about twenty meters to the east of where Hale had heard the noise the first time.

  Hale decided to move in for a closer look and began slowly making his way toward the sound. He would pause often and listen for any hint of sound. After another ten minutes of this, he reached the spot where he had last heard the crunching noise. He glanced down at the ground. Fortunately, the moon was nearly overhead and cast a silvery glow, which was reflected by the snow.

  Hale saw a series of tracks, moving toward the base of the hill where the Platoon waited for him and Leo to complete their mission, Oh no.

  Hale began following the tracks as rapidly as he dared to move without increasing the risk of detection. After moving about fifty meters, he paused to listen for the sound of his quarry. Suddenly, he detected movement in his right eye’s peripheral vision. Startled, he leaped back from the movement, and drew his pukko blade in one swift motion.

  No one was there. Surprised, he started in the direction of the hill when the shadows suddenly shifted. He looked up at the top of the hill and saw that one of the guards had started moving to a new vantage point. Amused with himself he thought, Steady lad, you are literally jumping at shadows.

  Hale’s ears suddenly picked up a faint crunching noise in the direction of Pekka and the others, He’s nearly to the Platoon.

  Abandoning caution, Hale began to move as quickly as he could manage, without making too much noise. As he neared the location of the Platoon, he paused, squatted down next to a tree and listened. Silvery moonlight shone down from above, causing the snow to sparkle in spots. The Platoon should be just out of my sight, just ahead.

  Suddenly, Hale saw the shadowy outline of a man come to his feet. The man had a rifle raised and he was taking aim at something in front of him. Hale threw a glance at the hilltop, and began dashing toward the man, He must have spotted the Platoon and was taking aim at someone. I have seconds at most before that gunshot gives us away.

 

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