Saturn

[Prussian to the Iron]

Chapter 4: Smoke and Fire

"Welcome Comrades," Polski addressed us, "to Stalingrad. The center of Fascist destruction in the Motherland. I heard that some of you were given only knives, and I cannot do anything. Now maybe you will be more eager to kill, eh?" several of us chuckled a little, "We'll get right to it then. The Germans are using a nearby foundry as a base to harass our troops coming across the Volga. I am the leader for this operation, and all who disobey will be shot. Turn in all knives and rifles to me, for re-distribution as I see fit. Dismissed."

After everyone left, I approached Polski, "Sir, exactly how many are occupying the foundry?" his eyes darkened, and he turned away, "I understand, sir." I saluted, and walked away quickly.

I spent the rest of the night skulking, and avoiding my friends. I had trouble eating as well, and went to sleep sick, thinking of all the men I knew who might die tomorrow. This was not to be the first time that dream would make me twist and turn in my sleep.

The next morning, I awoke early; I had only slept about an hour. Boris, Dmitri and I were some of the first in the line at the barracks. Dmitri and I received rifles. Boris was given a blunt knife, and 2 clips of Mosin-Nagant ammunition. Once we had all received weapons, each man with a rifle was paired with 2 men with knives, in case the riflemen should die. I watched as Boris marched off with 2 of the weaker men of the division, looking at me with a look in his face, one that I shall never forget, one that showed his readiness to die, and his complete loss of all hope.

We began to move towards the foundry in 2 groups: the first group, Boris', would be the distraction; a head-on assault, guaranteed to fail. My group was to go around several buildings, leaving half the men in a building adjacent to keep up fire on the foundry. As we separated, I solemnly waved to Boris, knowing it was not proper for a final farewell.

As we rounded the final corner to the adjacent building, I could hear the gunshots and blood-curdling screams nearby. Starshina Polski warned us not to run, or we would surely be dead. He rounded the corner, leveled his PPSH-41, and fired. "Alexandre! lead your half to the building! Go now!" He yelled, over the sounds of grinding treads as a Panzer started coming down the street.


more of this chapter to follow.