Chapter 288 Bastogne--The Last Night

After the German troops guarding in Lacham cut off their retreat, they tried to break through from the northeast corner, but they all repelled with E companies on their backs, and finally they chose to surrender. Three hundred and eighty-seven German soldiers laid down their weapons, and the German artillery did not bombard Lacham. Although after the Germans surrendered, they began to warn their brothers to protect the German artillery, the Germans gave up the shelling, perhaps because there were still a large number of German prisoners here. They can't kill their own people at the same time as slaughtering the U.S. military.

Three people in the E company were injured, of which only Hale was seriously injured, but it was no problem to keep a surname. This is the best battle result since Company E recently. And this result has nothing to do with Parks' return. But Winters warned Captain Parks at the battalion headquarters.

The headquarters of Company E is set up in a monastery in Lacham. That night, the nuns took a group of twelve or thirteen-year-old girls to the hall to sing a serenade for Company E. The program includes French and Belgian songs, several English songs and the German march "Lily? Marlene.

Captain Parks wrote a battle report in the dim yellow light of the monastery, and beside him were Lipp, White and Lieutenant Heiliger. A scene in the battle appeared in front of Parks again, and a smile appeared on the corners of his mouth. Although the brothers were exhausted and they hated fighting, once they were involved in the battle, they still behaved like an elite company.

"Once by the gate of the majestic barracks, she and I stood by a skylight. At that time, we shyly said goodbye to each other, but now only the skylight is still there. My favorite, Lily Malian, my favorite, Lily Malian, we can be seen everywhere, and our songs still seem to be floating. But when will all the people see it again, and we will meet by the skylight again? Favorite, Lily Marlene, favorite, Lily Marlene! You whistled at the sentry outside the door..."

The singing of the little girls echoed in the church, which made people a little trance. It feels like it's all in a dream. Li Pu looked at Captain Parks beside him. He was writing something, but he seemed to be a little distracted. Then his eyes swept over the faces of some of the brothers in the church, as well as White, Hai Lige and so on around him.

Li Pu suddenly found that he hadn't calmed down and looked at every brother for a long time. They leaned quietly on the church benches or tilted there. Some people are mentally tired and haggard, while others are thoughtful and silent, and their eyes are dim. Recalling the landing in Normandy until now, he counted the brothers who had lost along the way one by one. Some returned to the United States with injuries, some groaned in the hospital, and some had buried their bones in a foreign country. And the rest of these brothers will be their most reliable brothers. After so many battles and tests of life and death, what can be more reliable than their mutual dependence?

Captain Parks finished writing the last stroke, then folded the full paper and put it in his pocket. Li Pu turned his head and looked at him and couldn't help smiling, "I promise that this is the best night we've had since we came out of Baston."

"You mean that there are no damn German shells, cold foxholes or heavy snow on your body? If it's for those, it's really the best night. But what I think is not the best. I want a comfortable big bed, a fragrant grilled steak, fruit wine and so on, and then I will have a good sleep. When I finally got up in the morning, I found that I was not in damn Europe, but in Tacoya's barracks!" Parks smiled and then stood up.

Li Pu stood up and let Parks pass in front of him. As soon as Parks walked into the corridor, he suddenly smiled at Li Pu and said, "Oh, by the way, Li Pu, I hope you can replace Sergeant Tebert!" I have to tell you about this first."

"What?" Li Pu looked at Captain Parks doubtfully.

"Captain Winters presented a field appointment letter to Corporal Tiber. Colonel Sink has approved it. Corporal Tibert will be promoted to second lieutenant officer. So his position was vacant. I don't think I can think of a second suitable person to take over except you. I hope you can do a good job with all your brothers!" Parks said and patted Li Pu on the shoulder. "Brothers need a sergeant who can give them confidence. You and Tybert are undoubtedly the best candidates!"

Li Pu was stunned. This appointment suddenly made his heart a little restless. He thought he could keep calm, but he couldn't help tilting the corners of his mouth and said to Parks with a smile on the corners of his eyes: "Thank you very much, Captain!"

Captain Parks nodded to him, then turned around and left. He has to give the report to Captain Winters. According to the original progress, Captain Winters will be promoted to major soon. Parks did not consider what rank he would eventually be, but now he knows that he will definitely be promoted, but this also means that he may leave Company E, or go to the battalion, or go to the regimental, but this is not the best choice.

When Captain Parks pushed open the door of the battalion, he saw what Winters was writing in the room. And beside him was Captain Nixon, who was sip-in-gulp, as if to say something to Captain Winters. This is the largest room in a hotel. The camp is located in the best hotel in Lacham, with beds and even hot water and hot food.

Seeing Parks pushing the door in, Nixon opened his arms and made a hug, but his buttocks were still ** and did not move away. He smiled and said, "We just talked about you. Unexpectedly, you came over. To be honest, when I went to the regimental headquarters, someone was talking about Dick and you. Well, now you are all here!"

"What's the matter?" Captain Parks walked to Captain Winters' desk, and then took the report out of his pocket and handed it over, "Oh, God, it's definitely not a good thing. Every time the regimental members talk about someone, they will be unlucky. Or take the lead, or someone is going to be unlucky and wait for Colonel Sink's anger!"

"No, no, you guessed wrong, Major!" Nixon suddenly said, "This is a good thing. Did you hear what I call you? Reis, you have been promoted. Like Captain Winters, you will be promoted to major. God, I really envy you, especially Les. I think you are one of the fastest people to be promoted to the U.S. military!"

"major?" Although Parks had some speculation, he didn't expect it to come so soon. He looked at Captain Winters, who had turned his head to look at him, and said, "Is this true? "Dick!"

"In terms of Nick's ability to find out the news, this should be true. The appointment was approved by General Taylor. Colonel Sink had submitted a letter of appointment to the division before he began to attack Lacham yesterday. So the people in the regiment know about this matter. Winters smiled at Parks and said, "Congratulations, Les!"

Parks couldn't help smiling bitterly, "Does this mean that I have to wear a bow tie every day, then dress straight, learn from you, and shave my face clean. To be honest, this is really a hard job for me."

"Look, Dick, I said he would complain!" Nixon laughed and then said to Winters, "More importantly, you may be transferred from Company E. I didn't know how Sink arranged you, but you have to be prepared first. You have to be promoted in military rank, which is usually accompanied by promotion in the position."

"I want to hear your opinion, Les!" Captain Winters looked at Parks and said seriously, "It is also very important to know your opinion. Even Colonel Sink will attach great importance to it. It is completely possible that he will reassign you."

Parks nodded and said, "I know, Dick, I think if I had a choice, I would rather not choose to be promoted than be with my brothers. To be honest, after being with my brothers for so long, I really can't bear to leave. What's more, I just returned to the company from the hospital, Dick. If possible, I want to stay in the company!"

"This is a little difficult, Les. I know what you think, just like I did at the beginning. Leaving E Company really makes me feel very frustrated. Even in a period of administrative work, I am anxious every day. I like to lead my brothers on the battlefield and fight with them, even if I am injured. However, things will never be as you wish. Winters looked at Parks and said with a smile, "I have a specific plan. Maybe the position of deputy battalion commander is more suitable for you. In addition, you can consider the candidate for the company commander of Company E while the appointment is not yet coming down. I think Sink will pay great attention to your opinion in this regard."

Parks knows that this appointment is impossible to change, but if he stays in the second battalion as the deputy battalion commander, it may also be a better choice, which is much better than going to the regimental headquarters to serve as a staff officer. But anyway, it is indeed good news to be promoted to major. Thinking that he served as a second-class soldier in Tacoya in 42 years, as a sergeant when he landed in Normandy, and now he has been promoted to a major, which is indeed a rocket-like speed in the U.S. military, which makes him feel more or less Satisfied. After all, this also means that a series of contributions made in the battle have been recognized by the senior management of the U.S. military.

"Well, Dick, I think it will be a good choice. What better source than the deputy battalion commander of the second battalion? Thank you for this. To be honest, I don't want to serve as a staff officer in the regimental headquarters and wait for retirement!" Parks shrugged his shoulders.

"Does this mean that I have to salute you when I meet you in the future?" At this time, Nixon suddenly interrupted from the side, and he looked at Winters and Parks with an innocent expression on his face.

"Of course, if you want, I'd be very happy!" Winters couldn't help laughing at him.

"Me too!" Parks nodded and smiled, "Thinking about the past, you didn't know how much I saluted. It's fair to take back a little, isn't it?" With that, the three of them couldn't help laughing.

Outside the window, a cold wind swept by, and the snowflakes in the sky swirled in the wind, and then gently fell on the snow. The laughter of the three people faintly came out of the room, adding a little vitality to the quiet night. The battle of Lacham was the last battle of E Company in Baston, and this place, in addition to the endless pain left for the brothers, also left the brothers a strong heart. Bastogne will also leave the heroic deeds of Company E of the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, which will certainly leave a strong mark in the military history of the U.S. military.

(to be continued)