Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The killing fields ❯ Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 

The forth day on the Western front was not so quite German activity sped up. It seemed they were going to attack. Just before dawn the sentry noted the Germans were amassing in their trench. He immediately warned John. John woke up the men told them to eat early the Germans would attack. Ferret loaded the Colt and Luger put the colt in its holster. And then put the Lugar in its makeshift holster, pulled out the shotgun which he had loaded and cleaned the night before and took up his position. Around 9:00AM the men heard a soft whistle. “Stand to!”

John pulled his Webley and aimed. The Germans were pros spaced out and zigzagging.

“Pick your targets lads and fire at will.” The cracks of rifles opened the British defense then came the clatter of machineguns. The Germans shouting and firing back kept charging. Amazingly the sun showed and the Germans bayonets gleamed in the morning sun. Ferret waited for a German that he could hit with the shotgun. His chance came when a German made it to the lip of the trench and Ferret fired. Obliterating the mans legs in an explosion of crimson. The man fell on his stomach screaming in agony. Ferret drew the Luger and fired putting the man out of his misery. After words he decided to call it the leg disintegrator. Wave after wave of charging Germans were cut down only a few making it even close to the trench. By 2:00 they had had enough and the attacks stopped. The only Germans left were the dead and wounded. Each time the Germans left scores of wounded. Which of course help would never reach them. Ferret traded the Luger for some whiskey to quench his thirst and offered some to John who gladly obliged. That night nobody slept mostly because of the cries of the wounded and dieing. It was a very depressing sound. Especially because every body knew they couldn't be saved. The rest of the day was spent watching, waiting, and treating the German wounded who were lucky to fall in or near the trench. And were close enough to be pulled to safety. Amazingly they didn't lose one man during the German attack.

 

As the days dragged on the weather got colder and colder. Another winter on the Western front was approaching. And not one man was happy to spend another Christmas in the trenches. Well Christmas wasn't here yet but it was quickly approaching. Colonel Evans leave had been extended through the holiday which angered many men. Why couldn't they leave? They had just as much right as he did. Plus they had been on the line for two months, send somebody else to the line. John noticed the anger in the men and placed a call to Regiment who flat out ignored John request for immediate replacements. And a leave for his men. John and Ferret stepped out into cold November weather. A soldier approached John. “Sir you may want to see this.

John followed and there on the ground was a man trying to dig a hole with bare hands. The man didn't seem to notice that his finger nails had stripped off. John knelt down and picked up the man. His eyes were that of a shell shocked man he didn't know his friends he didn't know his own name. And he certainly didn't know who John was. “Does any body know who this is?”

“Yes sir his name is smith.”

“Okay I need you and take another man if need be and take this lad to the rear.

“Yes sir.”

Ferret and John watched as the soldier was escorted away in a hurry. John turned to Ferret. “I want you to stay out here and keep an eye on the men. To make sure nothing else happens. Can you handle that?”

Ferret nodded and John smiled. “I'll be back in a little while I'm going to go report to Regiment.”

So for over an hour Ferret watched the demoralized men with concern. He agreed they all needed a break. He kept replaying the scene of the soldier over and over in his head. And realized if they didn't get relieved they were all going to end up like Smith.

 

John sat on the table with his chin on his hand and holding the phone with the other listing to the commander debate with his staff. Finally they agreed and he said they would send fresh men up. The Battalion would be held in reserve behind the lines. John thanked him and rushed out to the men. “Pack your stuff lads were being relieved!”

The men cheered wildly and the Germans must have wondered what was going on. At night fall they were all behind the lines and the men were finally able to enjoy themselves.